Two Veterinary Services Department officials in Marondera have appeared before magistrate Jabulani Mzinyathi facing six counts of defrauding the government of $17 860.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
Todd Mutukwa (43), an accountant, and Njodzi Chigerwe (35) are accused of withdrawing the money from the department’s account using forged documents on the pretext they wanted to purchase goods for office use before converting the money to their own personal use.
The matter, which was heard by magistrate Mzinyathi last week, was postponed to Friday this week.
According to court papers, on the first count, the two purported to have purchased septic tanks worth $4 225. On the second count, they allegedly indicated that they had purchased a 5 000-litre water tank worth $2 930 and on the third count the two claimed to have bought floor tiles and sand worth $4 360.
It is alleged that, on fourth count, the accused persons indicated that that they had incurred $4 885 expenses for repair of a department vehicle while another $1 460 was allegedly spent on hiring a tent.
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They allegedly forged documents that only bore the signatures of the duo who had no authorisation from the provincial head as is the procedure. It is alleged that Chigerwe would authorise transactions while Mutukwa would withdraw the money and make payments. In all transactions there was no authorisation of the head, Charles Chikasha. The alleged offences happened between 2014 and this year. The matter came to light following an audit conducted this year.
Lovemore Musariyarwa prosecuted.