GOKWE Town Council acting secretary Clemence Madondo appeared in court yesterday charged with criminal abuse of office after he allegedly illegally awarded himself $1 000 as acting allowances.
Richard Muponde
Two witnesses, the council’s financial director Jokonia Nyoni and human resources clerk Collen Singwaza, testified in the matter, saying Madondo claimed allowances for the period he was on leave.
Charges against Madondo are that between December 20 last year and January 4 this year, he acted as the town council’s secretary before he went on leave. After he went on leave, Nyoni took over the reins.
However, on his return to work, Madondo ordered Singwaza to pay him all the allowances, including for days when he was on leave.
Singwaza complied and allegedly paid Madondo $1 140.
The council’s policy is that a person in acting capacity only receives allowances for the days he is on duty.
The court heard that Madondo was supposed to share the allowances with Nyoni who had stood in for him when he was away.
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According to the State, Nyoni was entitled to $693, while Madondo was supposed to get $446.
The town council then made inquiries into the matter and made a police report, leading to Madondo’s arrest.
Gokwe resident senior provincial magistrate Shepherd Mjanja remanded him out of custody to September 17 for continuation of trial.
