City of Harare denies existence of ‘secret payroll’ for top executives

CITY of Harare has shot down claims of a hidden payroll for senior managers, labelling the reports as baseless and meant to stir public panic.

In a statement, Acting Town Clerk Warren Chiwawa dismissed social media and media reports alleging that top executives were being paid through a separate, undisclosed salary system.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story alleging that the City of Harare runs a secret payroll,” Chiwawa said.

“This information is false and malicious and intended to deliberately cause unnecessary alarm and confusion among residents.”

He clarified that the municipality operates a single payroll that covers all staff, from management to general employees graded under the National Employment Council (NEC).

According to Chiwawa, all salaries are processed through the council’s Belina payroll system. General staff falls between Grades 16 and 7, while management occupies Grades 6 to 1.

He added that pay rates are not set arbitrarily.

“Salaries are negotiated at well-established structures, that is at council level and at National Employment Council level,” he said.

The acting town boss urged residents to ignore the claims, insisting there is no parallel payment system for executives.

“Any allegations to the contrary are unfounded and malicious and must be ignored.”

The denial comes as debate over Town House salaries resurfaces. Recent media and online discussions alleged that senior managers were receiving payments outside the normal payroll, reigniting concerns that have dogged the council for the past two years.

The issue first flared up in 2025 when it emerged that Harare’s top executives were on high monthly packages. Following that, the Local Government Board ordered the council to review its grading and pay structure after finding that the existing framework lacked proper approval.

Since then, executive remuneration has remained a hot topic in council meetings and public forums as the city works to align salaries with approved governance rules.