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VID clerks in court over alleged driver’s licence fraud
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TWO Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) data capture clerks have appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on fraud charges after allegedly facilitating the issuance of a driver's licence to a woman who had failed her road test.
Tinotenda Maningi and Chrison Chipanda are accused of manipulating the VID system to enable Nadia Samson to obtain a driver's licence without complying with the prescribed licensing procedures.
The pair was placed on remand, with the court expected to rule on their bail application on August 4.
The complainant is the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, represented by VID Eastlea Depot manager Onisimo Bumhira.
According to the State, Samson failed her road test on June 21 this year before informing her friend, Anotida Gwenyere, who allegedly referred her to Maningi, claiming he could assist her in obtaining a driver's licence through unofficial means.
Prosecutors allege that Maningi initially demanded US$250 to facilitate the process but later agreed on US$200. He allegedly obtained Samson's personal details and confirmed that she had passed the provisional driver's licence examination.
The State further alleges that on July 22, Chipanda processed an application for a certificate of competence in Samson's name without following mandatory procedures, including payment of the booking fee and submission of vehicle details required for the road test.
Investigations reportedly revealed that false electronic entries were made using the profiles of other VID officials, falsely indicating that Samson had sat for and passed the practical road test.
A certificate of competence was then allegedly generated before another fraudulent system entry facilitated the production of a driver's licence.
Prosecutors also allege that Maningi later arranged for the licence to be collected from a Central Vehicle Registry employee before it was handed over to Samson on July 25.
Samson is alleged to have paid US$200 as a facilitation fee.
The State contends that the alleged scheme prejudiced the proper administration of the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and undermined the integrity of Zimbabwe's driver's licensing system.
The matter has been remanded to August 4 for a ruling on the accused persons' bail application.
Tinotenda Maningi and Chrison Chipanda are accused of manipulating the VID system to enable Nadia Samson to obtain a driver's licence without complying with the prescribed licensing procedures.
The pair was placed on remand, with the court expected to rule on their bail application on August 4.
The complainant is the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, represented by VID Eastlea Depot manager Onisimo Bumhira.
According to the State, Samson failed her road test on June 21 this year before informing her friend, Anotida Gwenyere, who allegedly referred her to Maningi, claiming he could assist her in obtaining a driver's licence through unofficial means.
Prosecutors allege that Maningi initially demanded US$250 to facilitate the process but later agreed on US$200. He allegedly obtained Samson's personal details and confirmed that she had passed the provisional driver's licence examination.
The State further alleges that on July 22, Chipanda processed an application for a certificate of competence in Samson's name without following mandatory procedures, including payment of the booking fee and submission of vehicle details required for the road test.
Investigations reportedly revealed that false electronic entries were made using the profiles of other VID officials, falsely indicating that Samson had sat for and passed the practical road test.
A certificate of competence was then allegedly generated before another fraudulent system entry facilitated the production of a driver's licence.
Prosecutors also allege that Maningi later arranged for the licence to be collected from a Central Vehicle Registry employee before it was handed over to Samson on July 25.
Samson is alleged to have paid US$200 as a facilitation fee.
The State contends that the alleged scheme prejudiced the proper administration of the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and undermined the integrity of Zimbabwe's driver's licensing system.
The matter has been remanded to August 4 for a ruling on the accused persons' bail application.
Source - The Herald
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