The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
SIX Rusape General Hospital managers who allegedly corruptly flouted tender procedures for their own benefit, defrauding the institution of thousands of dollars were arrested and appeared in court facing charges of abusing their duties and obstructing justice.
The six forms the procurement committee of the hospital and were not asked to plead to charges of violating Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23 and defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in Section 184(1)(e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Munashe Ngwaru, Stephen Munyuku, Celani Moyo, William Dhliwayo, Luke Bandama and Paul Chikaonda who were represented by Mr Taurai Khupe of Khupe Law Chambers and Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates were remanded out of custody on $50 bail to November 18 when they appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro.
Rusape District prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira, told the court that the six allegedly flouted tender procedures by not publishing tenders in the Government Gazette or through newspapers. They were also accused of continuously awarding tenders to the same companies.
“During the period extending from August 1, 2015 to September 16, 2016, the accused persons who constitute the Procurement Tender Committee of Rusape General Hospital, whose duties among others included awarding tenders to suppliers for the hospital connived and awarded tenders to companies without following proper procedure for the purpose of showing favour to the companies.
“That is to say they awarded tender numbers 37/2015, 38/2015 and 20/2016 to Ocean Clean Enterprises, Sideridge Enterprises, Weatherford Enterprises and K and Sons Agencies of Mutare without publishing a notice requesting for suppliers to submit proposals for the provision of service in the newspapers widely circulating in the respective area and they did not purchase Government Gazette with a list of national suppliers approved by State Procurement Board.
“An audit carried out revealed that Mr Biggie Erick Muchuwa is a director for both Sideridge Enterprises and Weatherford Enterprises as well as the contact person for Ocean Clean Enterprises.
“It was also observed that one of the directors for K and Sons was a provincial accountant at Manicaland Provincial Medical Director’s Office, a superior and influential to the accused,” said Mr Mutyasira.
