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Bulawayo fire officer allegedly refuelled command vehicle twice daily
8 hrs ago |
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IT has emerged that a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) senior divisional fire officer in charge of the city's ambulance unit, Peter Dube, who is facing fraud charges involving 37 560 litres of diesel worth about US$54 637, allegedly refuelled his command vehicle twice a day while deliberately failing to record mileage.
This came to light yesterday during Dube's trial at the Bulawayo Magistrates' Courts, where he appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.
Testifying for the State, acting chief fire officer Mr Ntokozo Mpofu told the court that Dube was authorised to refuel his vehicle at Khami Stores only three times a week.
"Mr Dube was supposed to refuel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Khami Stores. However, investigations revealed that he would fuel at Khami Stores and then proceed to refuel again at Famona Fire Station on the same day, contrary to council policy," said Mr Mpofu.
He said refuelling at Famona Fire Station was only permitted after working hours or during public holidays if an officer had genuinely run out of fuel.
Mr Mpofu further testified that investigations showed mileage readings were deliberately not recorded at Khami Stores, raising suspicion of abuse of the council's fuel allocation system.
Another State witness, vehicle inspector Mr Khumbulani Nyoni, told the court that after the alleged fuel irregularities were detected, the vehicle in question was subjected to a road test.
"We found that the vehicle consumed fuel at a rate of one litre per nine kilometres, which is normal for a Toyota Land Cruiser, and the fuel tank was not leaking," said Mr Nyoni.
Dube's defence lawyer, Mr James Dliwayo, argued that the vehicle was old and not regularly serviced, resulting in excessive fuel consumption.
Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo said that in February 2021, Dube misrepresented to fuel attendants at Khami Stores and Famona Fire Station, failing to properly account for 472,49 litres of diesel valued at US$689,84.
The court heard that in May 2021, Dube allegedly defrauded the council of 614,11 litres of diesel worth US$896,60.
Between September 2021 and May 2022, he allegedly diverted 5 460,76 litres valued at US$7 972,71, while between June and July 2022, he reportedly prejudiced the council of 413,77 litres worth US$604,10.
From August to November 2022, Dube allegedly diverted 1 524,50 litres of diesel valued at US$2 225,77.
Between January and April 2023, he allegedly misappropriated 3 790,05 litres worth US$5 533,47.
From May 2023 to March 2024, the accused reportedly prejudiced the council of 9 787,43 litres of diesel valued at US$14 289,65.
Between April and June 2024, he allegedly diverted 4 924,03 litres worth US$7 189,08, while in July 2024, he allegedly misappropriated 1 499,62 litres valued at US$2 189,45.
Finally, between August and November 2024, Dube is alleged to have diverted 6 923,84 litres of diesel worth US$10 108,81 for personal use.
The trial continues today.
This came to light yesterday during Dube's trial at the Bulawayo Magistrates' Courts, where he appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.
Testifying for the State, acting chief fire officer Mr Ntokozo Mpofu told the court that Dube was authorised to refuel his vehicle at Khami Stores only three times a week.
"Mr Dube was supposed to refuel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Khami Stores. However, investigations revealed that he would fuel at Khami Stores and then proceed to refuel again at Famona Fire Station on the same day, contrary to council policy," said Mr Mpofu.
He said refuelling at Famona Fire Station was only permitted after working hours or during public holidays if an officer had genuinely run out of fuel.
Mr Mpofu further testified that investigations showed mileage readings were deliberately not recorded at Khami Stores, raising suspicion of abuse of the council's fuel allocation system.
Another State witness, vehicle inspector Mr Khumbulani Nyoni, told the court that after the alleged fuel irregularities were detected, the vehicle in question was subjected to a road test.
"We found that the vehicle consumed fuel at a rate of one litre per nine kilometres, which is normal for a Toyota Land Cruiser, and the fuel tank was not leaking," said Mr Nyoni.
Dube's defence lawyer, Mr James Dliwayo, argued that the vehicle was old and not regularly serviced, resulting in excessive fuel consumption.
The court heard that in May 2021, Dube allegedly defrauded the council of 614,11 litres of diesel worth US$896,60.
Between September 2021 and May 2022, he allegedly diverted 5 460,76 litres valued at US$7 972,71, while between June and July 2022, he reportedly prejudiced the council of 413,77 litres worth US$604,10.
From August to November 2022, Dube allegedly diverted 1 524,50 litres of diesel valued at US$2 225,77.
Between January and April 2023, he allegedly misappropriated 3 790,05 litres worth US$5 533,47.
From May 2023 to March 2024, the accused reportedly prejudiced the council of 9 787,43 litres of diesel valued at US$14 289,65.
Between April and June 2024, he allegedly diverted 4 924,03 litres worth US$7 189,08, while in July 2024, he allegedly misappropriated 1 499,62 litres valued at US$2 189,45.
Finally, between August and November 2024, Dube is alleged to have diverted 6 923,84 litres of diesel worth US$10 108,81 for personal use.
The trial continues today.
Source - The Chronicle
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