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No funds missing: Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army Church has dismissed allegations of misappropriation of funds and drugs at Howard Hospital and accused its expatriate doctor Paul Thistle of spreading the “falsehoods”.

The Salvation Army Church has dismissed allegations of misappropriation of funds and drugs at Howard Hospital and accused its expatriate doctor Paul Thistle of spreading the “falsehoods”.

By the Senior Reporter

The church’s international health services coordinator at its headquarters in Britain Dean Pallant on Friday said a team assigned to investigate the matter had found no evidence of missing funds.

“The Salvation Army is able to report that there is no sign that donated funds have been diverted from their original purpose. Donated goods, falsely reported to have gone missing are all accounted for,” Pallant said.

Pallant, who was addressing journalists at Bumhudzo Hospital Home in Chitungwiza, also denied allegations that Thistle’s relocation was politically motivated and triggered by his whistle-blowing.

“It’s just not true. The move of Thistle has always been discussed for the past two years.

“I can assure you that there has been no political motivation behind Thistle’s leaving.

“There is no indication of political motivation and no indication of fund misappropriation,” he said.

Thistle was ejected from the Salvation Army Church-run Howard Mission Hospital in August after he clashed with the church leadership.

But the move sparked violent demonstrations as the Chiweshe community demonstrated against his forced transfer from the mission hospital.

The church, however, stood its ground and forcibly transferred the Canadian-born medical practitioner.

The church later conducted an internal audit and reportedly exonerated the territorial commander, Commissioner Vinece Chigariro of abusing church funds.