News / National
MDC official disappears with observers' money
15 Aug 2013 at 21:42hrs | Views
CHIEF MDC constituency observer for Mutare North, Gladman Mbeu, allegedly disappeared with money meant for his team members who were engaged by the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee in the just-ended harmonised elections.
The members were promised $70 for their role as elections observers.
Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the case and said a manhunt has been launched for Mbeu.
It is alleged that Aslin Porana (33) and Silvester Chikunya (40) of Number 40A, Odzi, together with Fungai Chigwidi (31) of Number 351 Area 13, Dangamvura were engaged as observers for the harmonised elections by MDC. They were seconded to Ward Seven in Mutare North constituency.
Asst Insp Chananda said the three were promised $70 each by JOMIC.
He said on August 4, the three approached JOMIC demanding their money since the date they had agreed for payments had passed without them receiving a cent.
"The observers were shocked when JOMIC informed them that they had submitted the money to Gladman Mbeu who was representing them as the overall constituency observer. They were told that he had collected the money on August 2.
"When the three realised that they had been cheated they confronted Mbeu who insisted that he was still to receive the money. After informing him that they had been referred to him by JOMIC, he asked them to leave him alone," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said Mbeu later assured them that he would return their money.
The three were asked to come after some days to collect their money since he had used it.
"When the three approached Mbeu on the agreed day, he failed to give them their $213. He dismissed them.
A police report was made on August 8 and investigations are in progress.
"People must desist from criminal activities because as police we will continue to arrest anyone involved regardless of who you are or where you come from," said Asst Insp Chananda.
The members were promised $70 for their role as elections observers.
Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the case and said a manhunt has been launched for Mbeu.
It is alleged that Aslin Porana (33) and Silvester Chikunya (40) of Number 40A, Odzi, together with Fungai Chigwidi (31) of Number 351 Area 13, Dangamvura were engaged as observers for the harmonised elections by MDC. They were seconded to Ward Seven in Mutare North constituency.
Asst Insp Chananda said the three were promised $70 each by JOMIC.
He said on August 4, the three approached JOMIC demanding their money since the date they had agreed for payments had passed without them receiving a cent.
"The observers were shocked when JOMIC informed them that they had submitted the money to Gladman Mbeu who was representing them as the overall constituency observer. They were told that he had collected the money on August 2.
"When the three realised that they had been cheated they confronted Mbeu who insisted that he was still to receive the money. After informing him that they had been referred to him by JOMIC, he asked them to leave him alone," said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said Mbeu later assured them that he would return their money.
The three were asked to come after some days to collect their money since he had used it.
"When the three approached Mbeu on the agreed day, he failed to give them their $213. He dismissed them.
A police report was made on August 8 and investigations are in progress.
"People must desist from criminal activities because as police we will continue to arrest anyone involved regardless of who you are or where you come from," said Asst Insp Chananda.
Source - Manicapost
