News / National
Prison officers defraud ZPS of $17,000
11 Oct 2013 at 16:41hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services internal police has unearthed an electricity billing scam involving 4 of its members and ZESA workers that has defrauded the organisation of thousands of dollars in the scandal.
The scandal started at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services head quarters finance branch.
A prison officer identified as Madende based at Mashonaland regional headquarters health section is alleged to be the master mind and was aided by four female prison officers.
The scam allegedly involved the fraudulent crediting of private ZESA bill accounts including those of the suspects' relatives and their own with various amounts for payment by the prisons finance department.
In investigations carried out by the internal police, it has been established that the ZPS has been swindled of more than $17,000.
Deputy Commissioner responsible for administration Agrey Huggins Machingauta confirmed the development and said the culprits from prisons have since been brought to book and handed over to the CID commercial crime unit.
The prison officers fingered in the scam include, Woman Principal Prison Officer Ruvoko, Woman Senior Prison Officer Mpofu, Woman Senior Prison Officer Mandenga, all from the finance section.
More than $8,000 was traced to Madende who credited various ZESA bill accounts for his relatives, with the facilitation of Ruvoko, while Mpofu is linked to $9,000 billed into private accounts.
All have appeared before magistrates at the Rotten Row Magistrates Court on charges of fraud.
The scandal started at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services head quarters finance branch.
A prison officer identified as Madende based at Mashonaland regional headquarters health section is alleged to be the master mind and was aided by four female prison officers.
The scam allegedly involved the fraudulent crediting of private ZESA bill accounts including those of the suspects' relatives and their own with various amounts for payment by the prisons finance department.
In investigations carried out by the internal police, it has been established that the ZPS has been swindled of more than $17,000.
Deputy Commissioner responsible for administration Agrey Huggins Machingauta confirmed the development and said the culprits from prisons have since been brought to book and handed over to the CID commercial crime unit.
The prison officers fingered in the scam include, Woman Principal Prison Officer Ruvoko, Woman Senior Prison Officer Mpofu, Woman Senior Prison Officer Mandenga, all from the finance section.
More than $8,000 was traced to Madende who credited various ZESA bill accounts for his relatives, with the facilitation of Ruvoko, while Mpofu is linked to $9,000 billed into private accounts.
All have appeared before magistrates at the Rotten Row Magistrates Court on charges of fraud.
Source - zbc
