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Ministry director up for extortion

Local News
Allegations are that in November 2021, the informant received information that one Winnie Kanyedze could facilitate the acquisition of the certificates.

BY TREVOR MUTSVAIRO

A CHIEF director in the Health and Child Care ministry has been dragged to court for illegally issuing a verification certificate needed by nurses to apply for jobs abroad.

Robert Mudyiradima, a former acting permanent secretary in the ministry, appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda facing criminal abuse of office charges and extortion.

He was remanded to March 3 on $50 000 bail.

Allegations are that in November 2021, the informant received information that one Winnie Kanyedze could facilitate the acquisition of the certificates.

The informant later engaged Kanyedze, who charged her US$1 000 to facilitate the process. Kanyedze then engaged a ministry official, one Maregere, to facilitate the deal.

On January 26, Mudyiradima used his influence to recommend the release of a verification letter to the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe despite knowing that the issuance of the letters was suspended to stem the brain drain. A trap was then set up for Mudyiradima and police detectives arrested him after taking a bribe.

He was found with the verification letters signed by him.

Lynnet Gwarisa prosecuted the case.

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