News / National
Transport Perm-Sec arrested for fraud
29 Apr 2015 at 19:59hrs | Views
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa has appeared in court on charges of criminal abuse of duty as public officer and was granted bail.
The state alleges that on the 3rd of November 2009, national airline Air Zimbabwe was paid US$6,1 million by its London re-insurer, Chartis Insurance Company.
Again on the 23rd of April 2010, Chartis made a counter claim of the same amount against the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) for their negligence in ensuring the runaway was safe.
The state alleges the claim included US$2 419 714 for loss of business by Air Zimbabwe Holdings (pvt) Limited.
Allegations are that in the process Munodawafa appointed Navistar Insurance brokers to go to London to negotiate an out of court settlement while fully aware that CAAZ's insurance brokers was Marsh Insurance brokers.
Upon return of Navistar from London, the state further alleges the accused wrote a letter to the then Air Zimbabwe Accounting Officer, Mr Innocent Mavhunga to pay Navistar a success fee of US$305 000.
The state further contends that there was no logic for the accused to appoint Navistar for the task when Marsh was already in a position to execute hat role.
In count two, the state alleges that on the 18th of April 2013, Munodawafa personally negotiated for the lease of an embracer plane from Solenta Aviation of South Africa through his friend identified as Ben Dahwa.
Thereafter, the accused again directed Mavhunga of the national airliner to lease the plane without going to tender.
The plane was leased for six months without going to tender with a condition to pay an irregular finder's fee of 5 percent of the US$204 000 being US$10 000 to Dahwa on a monthly basis.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwete heard he initial appeal and granted the accused US$1 000 bail on condition he resides at his given address, surrenders his travel documents and reports to the Criminal Investigation Department serious fraud squad once every Friday.
The state consented to the bail with the accused's Counsel Mr Jonathan Samukange however, indicating that if the state is not ready on the 24th of June the set date of trail he will refuse the further remand of his client.
The Air Zimbabwe case has already claimed the scalps of two former executives, Grace Pfumbidzayi and Peter Chikumba who are now serving seven year sentences apiece.
Meanwhile, Chikumba's application for bail pending appeal has been dismissed by Harare Magistrate, Fadzai Mtombeni.
The convicted Chikumba is serving 7 years in jail with his co-accused Grace Pfumbidzai for siphoning several millions of dollars from the national airline and criminal abuse of office.
The Magistrate said there is fear that if given bail the applicant may abscond.
The state alleges that on the 3rd of November 2009, national airline Air Zimbabwe was paid US$6,1 million by its London re-insurer, Chartis Insurance Company.
Again on the 23rd of April 2010, Chartis made a counter claim of the same amount against the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) for their negligence in ensuring the runaway was safe.
The state alleges the claim included US$2 419 714 for loss of business by Air Zimbabwe Holdings (pvt) Limited.
Allegations are that in the process Munodawafa appointed Navistar Insurance brokers to go to London to negotiate an out of court settlement while fully aware that CAAZ's insurance brokers was Marsh Insurance brokers.
Upon return of Navistar from London, the state further alleges the accused wrote a letter to the then Air Zimbabwe Accounting Officer, Mr Innocent Mavhunga to pay Navistar a success fee of US$305 000.
The state further contends that there was no logic for the accused to appoint Navistar for the task when Marsh was already in a position to execute hat role.
In count two, the state alleges that on the 18th of April 2013, Munodawafa personally negotiated for the lease of an embracer plane from Solenta Aviation of South Africa through his friend identified as Ben Dahwa.
Thereafter, the accused again directed Mavhunga of the national airliner to lease the plane without going to tender.
The plane was leased for six months without going to tender with a condition to pay an irregular finder's fee of 5 percent of the US$204 000 being US$10 000 to Dahwa on a monthly basis.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwete heard he initial appeal and granted the accused US$1 000 bail on condition he resides at his given address, surrenders his travel documents and reports to the Criminal Investigation Department serious fraud squad once every Friday.
The state consented to the bail with the accused's Counsel Mr Jonathan Samukange however, indicating that if the state is not ready on the 24th of June the set date of trail he will refuse the further remand of his client.
The Air Zimbabwe case has already claimed the scalps of two former executives, Grace Pfumbidzayi and Peter Chikumba who are now serving seven year sentences apiece.
Meanwhile, Chikumba's application for bail pending appeal has been dismissed by Harare Magistrate, Fadzai Mtombeni.
The convicted Chikumba is serving 7 years in jail with his co-accused Grace Pfumbidzai for siphoning several millions of dollars from the national airline and criminal abuse of office.
The Magistrate said there is fear that if given bail the applicant may abscond.
Source - zbc
