Harare, Zimbabwe | A senior Harare City Council official has made alarming claims about the deaths of council employees, alleging that some may have been poisoned as part of ongoing corruption-related conflicts within the municipality.
Acting Human Capital Director Bozman Matengarufu testified before the Harare Commission of Inquiry last week, revealing that he himself had narrowly escaped being poisoned.
“The City of Harare is a toxic environment,” Matengarufu stated. “I was poisoned twice, and it’s on record. I was even chased away at a workshop in Chinhoyi with a gun to deter me from exposing corruption.”
Matengarufu went on to allege that the perception within the council is that several employees have died due to poisoning. “It is true. A few employees have actually been murdered through poisoning,” he claimed.
He expressed hope that the commission would uncover the truth behind these incidents and recommend solutions to address the council’s challenges. “With this commission, there is an opportunity to unveil the shenanigans that occurred in the past. Their recommendations can help this organisation move forward,” he said.
Matengarufu admitted he feared for his own safety after a confidential letter he wrote to the Town Clerk, Hosiah Chisango, was leaked. The letter reportedly raised concerns about his superior, retired Major Matthew Marara, who has come under scrutiny for earning a staggering monthly salary of US$12,000.
“I was shaken when my boss mentioned the letter to me,” he explained. “When he said, ‘I saw what you wrote to the Town Clerk,’ I felt powerless. Weeks passed, and nothing was done. It became increasingly difficult to carry out my duties.”
Matengarufu also lamented that individuals engaged in wrongdoing faced no consequences, leaving him frustrated and vulnerable in his role.
Concerns about suspicious deaths within the council have raised further alarm.
In 2020, council employee Margaret Muganga, based at Remembrance Drive offices in Mbare, reportedly took her own life under unclear circumstances.
In 2024, Dr. Funny Machipisa, the council’s Head of District Administration, died suddenly. Machipisa’s death followed intense disagreements over the allocation of stands to councillors. He had been expected to testify as a key witness in corruption investigations at Town House.
The ongoing allegations and unexplained deaths cast a dark shadow over the council, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and transparency within the institution.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.