HARARE City Council housing director Matthew Marara yesterday admitted that his position was created illegally when he appeared before a commission of inquiry.
Marara is accused of allegedly creating a Grade 1 (b) position under a job evaluation exercise he was in charge of and was not interviewed.
The position is equivalent to that of the town clerk and has seen Marara receiving luxurious benefits, including a top-of-the-range vehicle.
“Are you aware that your current position is in direct conflict with the directive from the Ministry of Local Government?” he was asked by commissioners.
In response, Marara did not deny the allegations.
“Yes, I’m aware. Yes, the position of council is in direct conflict. My view is the council should follow ministerial directives,” he responded.
“City of Harare as an entity has got powers of an employer. And that employer is the one who brought me back to work and accepted me back.
“It is untenable and I cannot be crucified for it, but it is council which should be crucified.
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Marara has been accused of awarding himself a lucrative contract at council.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a commission of inquiry last year to investigate reports of corruption, mismanagement and misgovernance at the local authority.
On Tuesday, capital director Bosman Matengarufu told the commission that he was allegedly chased away by two unknown gun-toting men for allegedly exposing corruption at the municipality.
Matengarufu said the working environment at the municipality was very toxic.
“I was a victim of this toxicity,” he said
“At one time, I was chased away from a Chinhoyi workshop by some criminals wielding guns. I was almost poisoned twice and it’s on record. When tests were carried out, they came out positive that I was poisoned.
“Any sensitive information can be dangerous for you in council . . .”
Council sources confirmed the incident.
“It is well known in council corridors that Matengarufu was chased away by two people wielding guns at the Chinhoyi workshop,” said an insider.
“We believe they did not want to kill him, but just to threaten him.”
Matengarufu told the commission that Marara has not been reporting for duty.
Matengarufu was told by the commission that he was also part of the toxicity.
