I survived poisoning attempts twice, says council boss

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

Harare City Council’s acting human capital director, Mr Bosman Matengarufu, claims to have survived two poisoning attempts after investigating sensitive matters.

He warned that probing issues like land deals, procurement, and vehicle allocations to top officials can lead to one’s death.

Mr Matengarufu said this yesterday while testifying before the Retired Justice Maphios Cheda-led Commission of Inquiry where he described the city as a toxic working environment.

President Mnangagwa in May last year, appointed the retired Judge-led Commission to probe the operations of Harare City Council and its business units from 2017 to date.

Justice Cheda postponed the hearings to today, and Mr Matengarufu is expected to face further questioning today.

The issue of poisoning came up when Mr Matengarufu was questioned about his lack of knowledge regarding the cars given to executive directors, including former Harare City Council acting human resources manager Matthew Marara, as benefits.

“I was poisoned twice, it’s on record,” he said. “What else would you expect me to do under such circumstances?”

“Yes, I had full knowledge that I was not doing other duties, because those duties were very sensitive and it would cost my life,” he said.

He also shared a specific incident where he was chased away from a workshop that was held in Chinhoyi.

“I was very, very alive to such sensitive information to say if I continue doing these things, I would end up leaving my family. When tests were carried out, it was indicated that I was poisoned. I was bedridden twice. Yes, in 2020, when I was just appointed acting Human Capital Director.”

As a result, Mr Matengarufu said he was now doing between 80 and 90 percent of his duties.

He told the Commission that issues related to procurement, land, appointments, and vehicle allocations are all considered sensitive matters, and that any employee who makes inquiries about these issues risks being poisoned.

Justice Cheda postponed the hearings to today, and Mr Matengarufu is expected to face further questioning today.