By Correspondent
A senior Harare City Council official has shockingly alleged that the deaths of many Council officials are a result of poisoning.
Testifying before the Harare Commission of Inquiry last week, Acting Human Capital Director Bozman Matengarufu said he had barely survived being poisoned also.
“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,” he said.
“I am saying the perception is that a few employees have actually been murdered through poisoning.“It is true,” Matengarufu said.
“Now that we have a commission that can unveil or bring out all the shenanigans that happened before, obviously you need wisdom.
“The commission will then give recommendations that will help this organisation to start moving on.
”Matengarufu revealed he also feared for his life.
This followed the leaking of a confidential letter initially written to the Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango.
The letter was about his boss, former soldier Rtd Major Matthew Marara.
Marara has been in the eye of the storm after revelations that he earns a whooping US$12 000 per month.
“He did not say anything.
“As my boss, the moment he said: ‘I saw what you wrote to the town clerk’, I then became so weak.
“I thought maybe in a week, in two weeks’ time, they will be dealt with.
“(However) nothing happened at all, until recently when I was reappointed.
Matengarufu said ever since that incident it has become difficult for him to function in his role.
He added that nothing had happened to those who were doing things the wrong way.
Suspicious Deaths
In 2020 a Council employee Margaret Muganga, based at Remembrance Drive offices in Mbare allegedly committed suicide under unclear circumstances.
In 2024 Harare Council Head of District Administration, Dr Funny Machipisa also suspiciously passed away.
That was a few months after the acrimonious divisions over the allocation of stands to Councillors.
Machipisa was a crucial witness who was expected to testify about corruption at the town house.
