CONTROVERSY surrounding the creation of a statue to celebrate the late nationalist and former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo continues after a National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) whistleblower claimed there was rampant corruption bedevilling the quasi-State institution.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
According to the report prepared for the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and copied to President Robert Mugabe’s office, NMMZ executive director Godfrey Mahachi allegedly failed to find a solution to stop the rot as the museums administrator.
It is alleged that Mahachi authorised the development of Nkomo’s statue by foreigners for personal gain.
“The statue of Joshua Nkomo was done outside the country by Koreans when in Zimbabwe we have professionals who can do it at a cheaper price. This exporting of our jobs was done to facilitate their corrupt ways. A statue which was done for a whopping $600 000,” the report claims.
Mahachi’s executive, according to the report, has been awarding itself “salary top-ups” over and above of what government pays them.
“They (management) top up their salaries from the coffers of the organisation, so when their account does not have enough funds to cater for these top-ups, the general workers have to suffer until enough funds are sourced,” the document claims.
“We have learnt with great pain the salaries and allowances that they afford each other at the expense of running the organisation, yet they claim that the organisation does not perform”.
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It is alleged that management awarded themselves fuel, telephone, car and cell-phone allowances amounting to $1 500 each month.
“All these benefits are not reflected on their payslips as a way of evading paying taxes to the government. Holiday allowance is not fixed. They call a meeting before each holiday to decide on the fee,” the report showed.
Contacted for comment, Mahachi claimed ignorance of the issues.
“I am hearing it from you for the first time. If the issue is with the Anti-Corruption Commission, then let us wait for the conclusion of their investigations. I do not want to say much on the issue,” a seemingly edgy Mahachi said.
In one incident in 2012, the organisation’s finance manager, identified as a Mrs Mwariwangepo, reportedly collected revenue from Victoria Falls and “is believed to have deposited it into her personal account”.
“An audit was conducted (and) $5 000 was found missing. An (sic) issue was raised and the executive director (Mahachi) took no action on this matter,” it is alleged, adding one Simbarashe Berejena lost his job after being accused of leaking the issue.
A senior official who declined to be identified, however, confirmed corruption was rampant.
“Most of the things that happen here are underhand. At one time before I joined full-time, I was offered payment that was at variance with my contract and I rejected it. Most of the things you are saying are common currency here,” the official said.
The report said when the National Heroes’ Acre Gallery was refurbished in 2014, “prices were inflated on purchases made”.
“They (management) connived with the suppliers of goods to alter invoices and receipts. They claim $15 000 as the total costs when in actual fact, $5 000 was used. An issue on this fraudulent activity was raised by Calvin Chimutuwa to the executive director, and again, no action was taken since the parties involved are his cohorts,” the report said.
Chimutuwa refused to comment.
“I am not allowed to talk to the Press. Please follow the relevant channels and talk to the responsible people,” he said before hanging up.
Chimutuwa was reportedly denied payment for mounting the exhibition on the grounds that it had been done clandestinely, with the issue involving a curator, identified as Nyaruwanga, and chief curator Kundishora Chipunza.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” said Chipunza, profusely professing his innocence and ignorance of the allegations.
There were also allegations of nepotism against Mahachi.
“The accounts department is a family affair. They are all related to one another. The wife to the director of northern region occupies a very influential position in the museum of humane sciences,” the report claimed.
Another official stands accused of altering the Domboshava monument boundaries in Chinamhora communal lands north-east of Harare’s boundaries for personal benefit.
“The boundaries were deliberately altered by Mr Bvocho, who was then the monuments inspector, to accommodate people who illegally built in the land that belongs to the NMMZ so that he would collect cash from them as a way of protecting them from being evicted,” it is alleged.
“Ordinarily, all monuments and sites under the jurisdiction of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe have a buffer zone that separates them from surrounding communities as a way to preserve and conserve the sanctity of the monuments and sites, but in this case, all this has been disregarded for the personal gains of an officer”.
Money paid by land developers following an impact assessment carried out in Carrick Creak (Borrowdale) reportedly disappeared.
“The executive director Dr Mahachi and his team pocketed all the funds for personal use. The total realised in this venture is estimated to be in the region of $75 000,” the report said. Efforts to get a comment from the Zacc were fruitless.
