Secret payout for ousted Harare boss

The Harare City Council (HCC) has concluded negotiations on an exit package for its former town clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, following his departure from the local authority after a turbulent tenure marked by corruption allegations and internal disputes.

The development was confirmed during a full council meeting held at Town House on Friday, with officials stating that discussions over his package had now been finalised.

Chisango, who joined the council in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become town clerk, left office last year after more than three decades of service. His tenure was characterised by a series of allegations involving misconduct, procurement irregularities, and financial mismanagement.

Among the most notable allegations was his arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission) over claims that he irregularly awarded a US$9.2 million street lighting tender to a joint venture company ahead of a SADC summit. The company had allegedly been previously blacklisted for poor performance.

He was also accused of extending his own contract without council approval and was linked to investigations into the alleged fraudulent allocation of 14 residential stands on land designated as public open space. Several related criminal cases were later dropped or withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed that negotiations over Chisango's exit benefits had been completed, though he declined to disclose the details of the settlement. Council human resources officials also withheld comment on the package.

At one point, Chisango was suspended but continued receiving a reported monthly salary and benefits amounting to around US$30,000 while on indefinite leave, sparking public criticism and internal conflict within the council.

The dispute between Chisango and council leadership, particularly Mayor Mafume, escalated into a prolonged standoff, including allegations that the former town clerk was barred from attending council meetings during ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, Mafume also used the same council meeting to pay tribute to late opposition figure and human rights activist Linda Masarira, describing her as a complex political figure and calling for greater empathy toward public figures after death.

He said he had previously assisted Masarira legally during her detention and urged political actors to resolve disputes while individuals are still alive rather than after their passing.