Nyashadzashe Ndoro
Allegations of staff transfers at City of Harare have sparked fears of tampering with a presidential Commission of Inquiry's investigation into corruption within the local authority.
Key personnel in the Legal and Housing and Community Services Department are reportedly being removed to pave the way for officials implicated in land and housing allocation corruption.
According to sources close to the Harare Residents Trust, Edgar Dzehonye, a Housing and Community Services official allegedly implicated in land deals, is set to replace Funny Machipisa, the Human Settlements Manager, and a key witness in a land corruption case against Mayor Jacob Mafume.
Councillors in the Human Resources and General Purposes Committee, led by Chairperson George Mujajati, are allegedly working closely with Retired Major Matthew Marara, the Acting Human Capital Director, who is himself implicated in land corruption, to remove officials who know more about the corrupt tender, land allocations, and other legal contracts which the Commission of Inquiry is specifically investigating.
"Edgar Dzehonye is said to be the owner of a land selling company that allegedly hoards residential and business stands, which are allegedly sold through ward councillors and they share the proceeds," a report by the HRT alleges.
The report suggests that since the probe's launch, jittery councillors and officials have held numerous meetings, workshops, and formed their committees to ostensibly investigate matters related to the Commission's mandate, aiming to preempt its findings.
The report accuses the City of attempting to destroy crucial documents concerning their decisions under the guise of official duties, while enriching themselves through these clandestine activities.
"At the heart of all the chaos rocking the City of Harare is the role being played by Matthew Marara, who recently created the position of Executive Assistant, Grade 2, using the guise of a job evaluation, making himself the Deputy Town Clerk," the report reads.
Harare City spokesperson Stanley Gama refuted the claims, asserting that the transfers were unrelated to the Commission's investigation and that the local authority was cooperating fully.
"The installation of a Commission of Enquiry did not cease the operations of council. The Commission terms of reference are in black and white, and none of the recently transferred employees has a direct role in those matters. City of Harare has welcomed the Commission of Enquiry and is cooperating with it," said Gama.
Gama argued that the transfer of some employees was not orchestrated with illegal intent and that Marara's Deputy Town Clerk position was created by council in 2019.
"With reference to the two employees, Mushava and Machipisa, the City recognises their experience and qualifications and has deployed them to the school to capacitate council workers to deliver the call to action.
The position of Executive Assistant to Town Clerk was created by council in 2019 and filled by the incumbent at inception. Council does not condone indiscipline, and if there is any employee implicated in land scandals, let the law take its course rather than to speculate," said Gama.
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