Shocker: US$144k salary for council official

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

A senior council official yesterday revealed that he is getting a US$12k salary a month, which translates to US$144 000 per annum,  from the cash-strapped authority, a revelation that has opened a can of worms as stakeholders speculate that other officials could be getting more and forcing the local authority to gobble hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries and allowances.

Matthew Marara, a retired soldier, is employed in the Town Clerk’s office as an Executive Assistant years after he left his job as a Director and was gifted with a package of over US$116k.

Marara served as a Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and acted as a Housing Director.

He appeared before the Commission of Inquiry chaired by retired Judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, where he opened up on his hefty salary that also include allowances.

Among the allowances Marara is getting is a security allowance he said was necessary because of the toxicity associated with his job at council.

Marara’s admission has raised speculation over what other officials could be getting amid reports that most of the officials are living lavish lifestyles.

“I earn $12,000 from Harare City Council at an interbank rate, plus various allowances and benefits,” Marara said responding to Thabani Mpofu, evidence leader in the Commission of Inquiry.

“I receive a security allowance because operating in the City of Harare is hazardous,” he added.

Marara touched controversy in the council after he was arrested on criminal abuse of office charges before he resigned.

However, he returned back to work and claimed perks after a three-year absence due to his retirement.

He was awarded over US$130k as benefits though sources claim he could have gotten way over US$300k.

Marara was quizzed by Mpofu who said: “You do what you want at the council, coming in and controlling business as you please.?”

Marara said he demanded his dues from council and a team was set up by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume to address his concerns leading to his victory.

“So far, I have been compensated $116,000 from the council for the suspension.”

The commission’s evidence leader presented documentation indicating that Marara had resigned and taken a three-year leave of absence due to criminal abuse of office. He was later arranged by Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango to return to a newly created, non-existent position within the council.