A Harare City Council top official, Matthew Marara, is under scrutiny for allegedly acquiring multiple properties as accusations of corruption against him continue to pile up.
Marara appeared before a commission of inquiry where he was quizzed about the source of the funds to acquire the properties.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May last year appointed a commission led by retired judge Justice Maphios Cheda to investigate corruption and financial mismanagement at the council.
The commission’s evidence leader Thabani Mpofu said they had received reports that Marara, who is an executive assistant, owned several houses from alleged deeds of corruption.
In response, Marara denied the allegations.
“I acquired one stand in Gunhill in 2016,” he said.
“Apart from this stand which I built, I also bought a house in Mabelreign and also a house in Bulawayo.
“Those are the properties that I have acquired.”
Marara said a video showing some ‘grey’ properties allegedly said to belong to him was doctored to tarnish his image.
“I think any grey painted house was ascribed to me,” he said.
“I cannot respond to rumours and fight rumours.”
Marara also said media reports alleging that he was untouchable were not true.
“I am not the employer and I do not control the city council,” he said.
“What you are saying I think relates to what I have read in the papers that I resigned from the City of Harare and bounced back.
“I think that's what you are talking about. I never resigned from the City of Harare.”
Harare Residents Trust leader Precious Shumba accused councillors of being corrupt.
“Our councillors are the real enemies of the ratepayers,” Shumba said.
“Consequently, they partake in corrupt deals with council management, without bothering about serving the residents.
“It is the councillors who have nurtured the rot by allowing themselves to be paid bribes by the manipulative and cunning city managers.”
Marara is reportedly getting a monthly salary of US$12 000.
The commission has received reports of mind-blowing corruption at the municipality that is struggling to provide basic services.
Harare City Council is controlled by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, but the government through the Local Government Board, is responsible for the hiring of the local authority’s top managers such as the town clerk.
The government has been accused of worsening corruption in Harare through interference by ministers who impose their own people.