The ManicaPost
Health Reporter
HEADS have finally rolled at Rusape General Hospital following the sacking of two senior officials and demotion of three other officials who were members of tender committee over the widely reported procurement scandals that rocked the institution last year.The sixth official was acquitted.
Mr Munashe Ngwaru, the District Health Services Administrator and Mr Steven Munyuki, the accountant, were recently fired while Mr Luke Bandama, the assistant administrator were demoted. Mr Paul Chikaonda had his two months’ salary garnished while Mr Celani Nyoni (pharmacist) was transferred to Mutambara. Mr William Dhliwayo, an environmental health officer, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The five affected officials were key members of the tender committee, suspended in September last year to pave way for full-scale investigations into allegations of connivance in awarding contracts to brief case companies, raise double vouchers, purchase inflated inferior equipment and frustrate reputable suppliers by demanding kick-backs, among other transgressions suspected to have bled the institution of thousands of dollars.
Internal auditors from the ministry unearthed multi-faceted fraudulent practices in the awarding of tenders and procurement of drugs, utensils, equipment and other services, raising alarm that patients in need of critical healthcare were being short changed.
Laid down procedures, rules and regulations were violated in awarding the tenders, raising requisitions, procurement of goods and items while an undisclosed amount of money withdrawn from the bank to pay debtors was converted to personal use. Provincial Medical Director, Dr Patron Mafaune, who set charcoals against the five, could not be contacted for comment. His mobile phone was not reachable.
However, Mr Ngwaru confirmed his sacking alongside Mr Munyuki, when contacted for a comment. He said the disciplinary panel’s decision to fire him was adverse and wrong. He has since appealed against it.
“What is your issue? I have appealed against that decision,” said Mr Ngwaru.
Mr Ngwaru has since been replaced by one Mr Mukondoni as the district health services administrator.
