Harare City Council Denies Operating a Secret Payroll

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

Harare City Council (HCC) has dismissed allegations that it operates a secret payroll, describing the claims as false, malicious and intended to mislead residents.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Acting Town Clerk Warren Chiwawa said reports suggesting the local authority maintains a hidden payroll system were inaccurate and did not reflect the council's payroll administration processes.

"Our attention has been drawn to a story in the media 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."

Chiwawa said the City of Harare maintains a single payroll that includes all employees, from executive management to workers covered under the National Employment Council (NEC).

"The payroll is structured in such a way that NEC grades are from Grade 16 to Grade 7 and management from Grade 6 to Grade 1," he said. "The payroll is run just as one, from Grade 1 to Grade 16 through the Belina system."

Belina Payroll HR is a widely used payroll and human resources management system employed by public and private sector organisations in Zimbabwe to process salaries, statutory deductions and employee records.

The acting town clerk said remuneration for council employees is determined through recognised collective bargaining mechanisms. He explained that salaries for management and non-management employees are negotiated through established council structures and the National Employment Council in line with applicable labour regulations.

"Salaries are negotiated through established structures at the council level and at the National Employment Council level," Chiwawa said. "Any allegations to the contrary are unfounded and malicious and must be ignored."

The council's response comes as Harare City Council continues to face increased public scrutiny over governance, financial management and service delivery, with residents' associations and oversight institutions regularly calling for greater transparency in municipal operations. Payroll management has remained a key area of public interest for local authorities, particularly following previous audits and governance reviews across Zimbabwe that have highlighted the importance of robust financial controls, accountability and compliance with public finance regulations.

Harare City Council has not indicated whether it intends to take legal action over the reports but maintains that its payroll system is transparent and administered through a single electronic platform.

Harare City Council