Story by Fungai Jachi
Mazowe Veterinary Education Principal Donora Nyamadzawo has appeared in court on allegations of defrauding his employer of more than US$200 000 in a botched fuel deal.
Nyamadzawo allegedly used the department of agricultural education’s Petrotrade customer account number to procure ZiG denominated fuel coupons comprising 69 000 litres of petrol and 63 960 litres of diesel for personal business without permission or authorisation from the department or the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
The court heard that he went on to use ministry’s letter head to self authorise the collection of the fuel coupons from Petrotrade, Harare, and used them for personal business.
The offence came to light towards the end of September this year when the department of Agricultural Education went to Petrotrade, Harare, for a quotation of its monthly allocation of 24 120 litres of fuel for a graduation event.
Petrotrade Harare refused to issue a quotation and subsequently disclosed that the fuel had been collected by the accused, thereby exhausting their monthly allocation.
Nyamadzawo was released on US$500 bail and is expected back in court on the 12th of next month.
Meanwhile, two Zimbabwe Republic Police officers have appeared in court for allegedly soliciting for a bribe from a Chinese company.
Patrick Kwashira (31) and Tangai Matomati (35) are facing criminal abuse of office charges after they allegedly demanded US$5 000 from a Chinese firm, Sunny Yifeng Tiles Zimbabwe.
The court heard that a trap was set up by ZRP internal investigations and Kwashira was intercepted at the company’s premises after the duo received the bribe money.
They were released on US$200 bail each and advised not to interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
The duo will return to court on the 12th of next month.
