Maravi

(HERALD) Mechanisation audit claims first victim

Mechanisation audit claims first victim
Court Reporter

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s farm mechanisation audit that commenced last week has claimed its first victim on allegations of conniving with one of the central bank’s senior officials to swindle the Government of a motorcycle, four generators, 15 knapsacks and other implements valued at US$35 100.

Joseph Banda, whose identity particulars provide two different dates of birth in the 1950s, is facing another charge of impersonating a police officer by claiming to be a senior assistant commissioner in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, a security officer with RBZ and a war veteran.

Banda was on Friday not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Memory Chigwaza who remanded him in custody.

His alleged accomplice — the central bank’s head of Agricultural Mechanisation and Small to Medium Enterprises Support Division, Mordecai Renco-Star Masakwa — was still at large.

Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission general manager in-charge of investigations Ms Sukai Tongogara urged the nation to report any known fraudulent cases involving the Farm Mechanisation Programme equipment to assist in the arrest of the culprits. She appealed for information on the whereabouts of Masakwa who is on the commission’s wanted list in connection with the case.

"We are not going back with these investigations and I appeal to the citizens and all stakeholders to assist us with information of any known dirty cases involving the implements.

"Masakwa is still at large and anyone with information on his whereabouts should kindly let us know," said Ms Tongogara.

Appearing for the State, Mr Michael Mugabe of the Attorney General’s Office opposed the release of Banda on bail citing risk of interference with investigations and witnesses.

It was submitted that Banda’s accomplice was still at large and his release would disturb his apprehension.

Charges against Banda arose between January 20 and February 20 this year when he drove to Bak Storage along Birmingham Road in the company of Masakwa.

It is the State’s case that the duo misrepresented to the custodians of the property at Bak Storage that they had authority from the RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono to acquire a motorcycle, four generators, an ox-drawn cart, two disc harrows, plough, 15 knapsacks, seed drill and five chains.

Banda was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after the Anti-Corruption Commission team led by Mr Servious Kufandada unearthed the scandal. It is also the State’s contention that between 2006 and last month, Banda masqueraded as a police senior assistant commissioner and a war veteran to RBZ, Office of the President, War Veterans’ Association and some members of the police force.

As a result, it is alleged Banda used the self-claimed positions and managed to illegally acquire the State property.

The court also heard that Banda exercised "authority" over RBZ officials at Bak Storage and issued farming implements to Member of the House of the Assembly Makhosini Hlongwane and several senior police officers. It is also contained in the court papers that Banda was even given a Rhino CAM vehicle under the RBZ credit facility with Motor City Car Dealers through misrepresentation.

Labels: MECHANISATION

posted by MrK @ 11:59 PM