Mnene Mission Hospital administrator Ziboniso Moyo and two other officials employed by the Health ministry, who are based in Harare, yesterday appeared at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
BY Stephen Chadenga
Moyo is being charged together with Richard Dharara, a hospital planning and project manager, and Wilbert Madenga, a procurement officer. Mnene Mission Hospital administrator Ziboniso Moyo and two other officials employed by the Health ministry, who are based in Harare, yesterday appeared at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of criminal abuse of office. Both Dharara and Madenga are based at Kaguvi Building in Harare.
Moyo and Dharara face three counts, while Madenga is being charged on one count of criminal abuse of office. The three are alleged to have flouted tender procedures and inflated prices of equipment procured by the government on behalf of Mnene Hospital in Mberengwa district.
The three will reappear in court on April 8 for trial after their lawyers successfully sought postponement of the trial after the State served them with an amended outline shortly before commencement of trial.
In postponing the trial, regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire said the State papers were in shambles and should be put in order before the trial commences. Nemadire said the case was a 2011 one and further delays were not permissible.
On two counts where Moyo and Dharara are jointly charged, allegations are that in October 2011 Mnene Hospital sought to procure a ceiling-mounted X-ray machine, mobile X-ray and an X-ray processor.
On October 25 2011, Moyo allegedly wrote a letter to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health seeking authority to process fresh tenders from United Bulawayo Hospital and Chitsungo Mission Hospital.
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Instead of following laid-down tender procedures, Moyo and Dharara allegedly connived to use the already processed tenders from the two hospitals.
Due to procedural defects, accused persons bought a mounted X-ray machine for $180 000 and an X-ray processor for $45 000, whereas the market prices were $83 000 and $7 000 respectively giving a favour to Capital Transfer and Food Miles Trading Company, who supplied the equipment.
Investigations also revealed that the two firms were owned by one person.
On February 1 2012, Moyo and Dharara connived to pay a down payment of $100 000 to Food Miles for renovations at Mnene contrary to tender procedures.
On the third count that drags in Moyo, Dharara and Madenga, allegations are that on November 8 2011, the three connived and used an already processed tender from Masvingo Provincial Hospital and bought an auto clave machine for $64 634 instead of $10 500 giving favour to Gift Banda, owner of Harness Investments. Moyo and Dharara are represented by Misheck Hogwe while Raynos Gumbo represents Madenga.
