A FORMER soldier with the Zimbabwe National Army stationed at KGVI Barracks in Harare was on Wednesday convicted of fraud after milking the Department of Pensions of ZW$7,3 quadrillion and US$4 372 in inflated claims between October 2008 and January 2011.
STAFF REPORTER
George Zino (32) was convicted on his own plea of guilty before Harare regional magistrate Arnold Maburo.
He will be sentenced on May 20 .
The complainant in the matter, the Department of Pensions in the Ministry of Public Service, was represented by Cephas Chikono, an auditor in the ministry’s investigation unit.
Prosecutor Audrey Chigumira told the court that Zino was injured during a tour of duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo and became a beneficiary of medical assistance as provided for under State Service Disability Act Chapter 16:05.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
The accused then hatched a plan to defraud the government’s Pensions Department by making false medical expenses claims.
On 14 different occasions between October 27 2009 and January 17 2011, Zino allegedly submitted false medical expenses totalling ZW$7,72 quadrillion and US$4 372.
The matter only came to light after an audit was carried out by the department.