News / National
Hurungwe council officials arrested in graft dragnet
08 Nov 2018 at 05:42hrs | Views
TWO Hurungwe Rural District Council officials have been arrested over alleged corruption while a third one is reportedly on the run as authorities take the fight against graft to rural areas.
Police this week confirmed the arrest of Karol Mutenga (35) and Jackson Mashinge (35) both employed by Hurungwe Rural District Council for contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, "that is criminal abuse of duty as public officers".
"The duo was arrested on November 5, 2018, after it was discovered that in December 2017, Hurungwe Rural District Council decided to purchase three vehicles following the due process which entails that they should flight advertisements for bids.
"Instead, they sourced for quotations directly from four companies without having invited for bids, thereby flouting the council regulations," a police statement said.
Another suspect in the case, Joram Misheck Moyo is said to be on the run.
"Mutenga and Mashinge forwarded their quotations to Moyo, who is the accounting officer at the council, for authorisation.
"Moyo who is also an accused person in this case and is still at large, authorised the purchase of the vehicles, knowing that no tender procedures had been followed. Mashinge, who is also the finance officer at Hurungwe Rural District Council, released funds amounting to $165 000 for the purchase of three Isuzu trucks," police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
Several former and serving government officials have been arrested, some awaiting trial on graft charges as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks to keep his word to fight the scourge blamed for the country's economic woes.
Police this week confirmed the arrest of Karol Mutenga (35) and Jackson Mashinge (35) both employed by Hurungwe Rural District Council for contravening section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, "that is criminal abuse of duty as public officers".
"The duo was arrested on November 5, 2018, after it was discovered that in December 2017, Hurungwe Rural District Council decided to purchase three vehicles following the due process which entails that they should flight advertisements for bids.
"Instead, they sourced for quotations directly from four companies without having invited for bids, thereby flouting the council regulations," a police statement said.
"Mutenga and Mashinge forwarded their quotations to Moyo, who is the accounting officer at the council, for authorisation.
"Moyo who is also an accused person in this case and is still at large, authorised the purchase of the vehicles, knowing that no tender procedures had been followed. Mashinge, who is also the finance officer at Hurungwe Rural District Council, released funds amounting to $165 000 for the purchase of three Isuzu trucks," police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
Several former and serving government officials have been arrested, some awaiting trial on graft charges as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks to keep his word to fight the scourge blamed for the country's economic woes.
Source - newsday
