Redcliff/Harare – Tragedy has struck Redcliff Municipality as a security guard was found dead while on duty, while in Harare, the ongoing commission of inquiry into the city council’s affairs has descended into a maelstrom of accusations and death threats, exposing the deep-seated rot within the capital’s administration.
In Redcliff, Leo Makoni (55), a security guard at Redcliff Municipality, was discovered lifeless in the early hours of Wednesday morning by a colleague arriving for the shift change at the council premises in Torwood.
Redcliff Town Clerk Gilson Chakauya confirmed the unfortunate incident to The Mirror, expressing the municipality’s deep sadness. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the untimely death of one of our security details, Mr Makoni in the early hours of today. He passed on whilst on duty at the Maintenance Center in Torwood and the cause of his death is yet to be established. Investigations are underway,” Chakauya said.
“Makoni dedicated his time and efforts to serving our community with passion and commitment. As the Municipality of Redcliff, our prayers and thoughts are with the Makoni family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” Chakauya added. The cause of death is yet to be determined, and investigations are currently underway.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the atmosphere at Harare City Council (HCC) has turned poisonous, with officials embroiled in the Justice Maphios Cheda-led commission of inquiry now reportedly threatening each other’s lives.
The commission, appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year, is investigating HCC’s financial affairs since 2017. It has laid bare a culture of blame, with councillors and management accusing each other of corruption and mismanagement, leading to the unprecedented deterioration of service delivery in Zimbabwe’s capital.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has alleged that Matthew Marara, executive assistant to the town clerk, has issued death threats against him. In an interview with NewsDay, Mafume said he and his family were now living in fear. “Yes, l confirm that in my phone l have death threats from Marara. He knows where l stay and l not only fear for myself but my family. He even claims to have protection from authorities so nothing can be done to him,” he said.
NewsDay claims to have seen the alleged threatening messages which Mafume claims are from Marara.
In the messages, Marara accuses Mafume of using him to fight head of district administration Fani Machipisa, who died late last year, a few months after an acrimonious fallout over the allocation of stands.
The messages also reference former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba, suggesting he suffered consequences for fighting Marara and is no longer at Town House. “It will not end well, good afternoon. Gomba used to do that and what was the end result . . . peace is important, remember what I told you in your office in Belvedere when Gomba got me arrested. I cannot be beaten and continue watching,” the message read.
The messages continue with violent imagery, including a picture of a Chinese woman holding the head of a beheaded soldier, and accusing Mafume of turning against Marara after using him. “You (Mafume) used me to deal with Machipisa and now you repay me by turning the gun on me. Soldiers entered a village and raped the entire woman (sic), except one who resisted the soldier, killed him and cut off his head.”
Mafume stated that he had alerted the authorities to the threats when he received them. Asked whether he made a police report following the death threats, Mafume said: “I made sure the authorities are aware of the threats when I received them.”
Marara declined to comment on the allegations. “l don’t want to comment, okay! You can write but continue to do that. l know where this is coming from,” he said.
It’s worth noting that when Marara appeared before the commission recently, he accused Mafume of wielding excessive power within the council.
