A Harare City Council official has revealed that people exposing corruption at Town House are being threatened with death, while some have been poisoned.
Speaking before the Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2024 to investigate suspected financial mismanagement and corruption in Harare dating back to 2017, acting Human Capital Director Bosman Matengarufu claimed he had received death threats, survived an assassination attempt, and was poisoned as corrupt cartels sought to silence him.
Matengarufu also recounted an incident in 2020 when he was chased out of a workshop in Chinhoyi by an individual armed with a gun. He said (via <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/death-threats-rock-town-house/">Business Times</a>):
<blockquote>
The City of Harare is a toxic environment. I was poisoned twice and it’s on record. I was chased away at a Chinhoyi workshop with a gun to deter me from exposing corruption in any way.
</blockquote>
When asked by Justice Maphios Cheda, the chairman of the Commission, about the reason for his poisoning, Matengarufu responded:
<blockquote>
I was demoted after Marara’s return from allegations of corruption. I was acting in his place during his absence due to corruption charges. After (Matthew) Marara returned, I was demoted, and that’s when the fight began.
</blockquote>
He said Marara created a fictitious position within the council and allocated himself a substantial sum of money, sparking controversy. Said Matengarufu:
<blockquote>
There are matters within the council you should never tamper with if you want to live. (These are) land, appointments, water, procurement.
</blockquote>
Matengarufu’s testimony appears to support speculation that one of the key council officials, who had threatened in a letter to the Local Government Ministry to expose rampant corruption at the local authority, was killed by the cartel.
The official, Funny Machipisa, who served as District Administration Manager, died under mysterious circumstances last year. His family believes his death was the result of foul play.
Before his death, Machipisa had voiced concerns about being pushed out of his position to silence him. In a letter dated July 9, 2024, he revealed that he was being targeted for opposing the councillors’ push to allocate residential stands in affluent areas rather than their respective wards.
Machipisa had warned that their plan to remove him was designed to prevent him from testifying before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Harare City Council official exposed corruption and got threatened and poisoned. Bosman Matengarufu told a Commission about death threats and assassination attempts. He was demoted after pointing out corruption. Another official, Funny Machipisa, died mysteriously after speaking out against corruption. Some say he was killed by a corrupt group. The council is a dangerous place with corruption in things like land and appointments. Matengarufu's testimony supports rumors of corruption and threats at the council.

Harare Council Official Poisoned And Threatened With Death For Exposing Corruption

Several Harare City Council (HCC) committee chairpersons lack basic qualifications and do not understand the demands of their roles, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200033581/unqualified-councillors-burden-hcc">NewsDay</a>.
This emerged last week during the ongoing commission of inquiry into the City of Harare’s operations, chaired by Retired Judge Justice Maphios Cheda.
The commission was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May to investigate the council’s system since 2017.
Council committees include business, environment, information and publicity, audit, educational health, housing and community services, and licensing.
For instance, HCC audit committee chairperson, Ward 29 councillor Blessing Duma, confirmed during questioning that they lacked qualifications.
Duma admitted to chairing the audit committee despite having qualifications in journalism and wildlife management.
Justice Cheda questioned Duma’s qualifications for chairing the audit committee, suggesting he might be better suited to other tasks. Said Cheda:
<blockquote>
Don’t you think you are better off running after elephants? You have no qualifications in accounts.
</blockquote>
In response, Duma said that elected councillors often lack the necessary qualifications for their roles, noting that even individuals with minimal education can be elected. He said:
<blockquote>
Even one with a Grade 1 qualification can be elected a councillor. If you go through the curriculum vitaes of councillors at the Town House you would be shocked. We only know about someone’s qualifications later on.
</blockquote>
Commissioner Thabani Mpofu criticised George Mujajati, the human capital resources committee chairperson, for lacking the necessary qualifications. Mujajati admitted to learning on the job, having no prior HR experience.
The commission was also surprised that the business development committee is chaired by Lovemore Makuwerere, who only has an Ordinary Level qualification and couldn’t provide financial details. 
Cecelia Chimbiri, the environment management committee chairperson, was unaware of her committee’s role in regularising stands and struggled to explain the importance of wetlands, citing fear and inexperience.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Some people in charge of committees in Harare City Council don't have the right qualifications for their jobs. A commission set up by President Mnangagwa is investigating this issue. For example, the audit committee chairperson has qualifications in journalism, not accounts. Another committee chairperson has no HR experience. The commission found that some committee heads have very basic qualifications. This lack of expertise can affect the council's ability to do its job properly. Ultimately, it is important for people in leadership roles to have the right qualifications and understanding of their responsibilities.

Harare City Council Committee Chairpersons Lack Necessary Qualifications

A Harare man has been sentenced to 56 months in prison by magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after he was convicted of defrauding several high-ranking government officials of a total amount of over $12 000.
Tinashe Munhuweyi (36), of Mufakose in Harare, called his victims pretending to be the former High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and need of urgent help.
Among Munhuweyi’s victims is Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Victor_Matemadanda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Victor Matemadanda</a>, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sekai_Nzenza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sekai Nzenza</a> and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo.
In the case of Matemadanda, Muhuweyi contacted the war veterans leader on September 17 last year while pretending to be Justice Cheda.
He said that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chirundu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chirundu</a> Border Post and asked for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses.
Matemadanda sent the money via EcoCash, but Munhuweyi became evasive when the former asked for the repayment of the debt.
Magistrate Mugwagwa set aside six months from the 56 months sentence on condition of good behaviour. A further 12 months were suspended on condition Munhuweyi restitutes all the victims on or before January 1, next year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/judge-imposter-put-behind-bars/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Harare Conman Swindles Govt Officials Of Thousands Of Dollars

Victor Matemadanda, the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans, testified in court on April 8 in a matter where he lost $600 to a magistrate impersonator.
The accused man, Tinashe Munhuweyi, is believed to have deceived Matemadanda by pretending to be Justice Mafios Cheda, the former Bulawayo High Court judge. Matemadanda alleges that he lost $600 to the accused on 17 September 2018. He further indicated that Munhuweyi indicated the money was for refueling his trucks which he said were at the Chirundu border post.
Matemadanda who later conducted his own investigations discovered that he had been tricked. He reported the matter leading to Munhuweyi’s arrest.
The accused is believed to have used the same methods to dupe a Great Zimbabwe University professor Ben Siyakwazi, High Court judge Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe’s son, Naboth, Rudo Kariramombe and Bubi legislator Moyo.
Munhuweyi, however, denied allegations. He told the court that he never benefitted anything from Matemadanda except through his services to the public via government.
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More: <a href="https://www.263chat.com/bogus-magistrate-conned-matemadanda-600/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">263 Chat</a>

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