The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungur Senior Reporter
THE procurement scandal at Rusape General Hospital has exploded with the Ministry of Health and Child Care reporting the suspended six key administrative officials to police on fraud charges.
A report was lodged with the CID Rusape and investigations began on Wednesday.
The suspects in the unfolding scandal are Munashe Ngwaru (District health services administrator), his assistant, Luke Bandama, Steven Munyuki (accountant), Celani Nyoni (pharmacist), William Dhliwayo (environmental health officer) and Paul Chikaonda (supervisor).
Makoni District medical officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa, reported the matter to the police following a directive from the Provincial Medical Director, Dr Patron Mafaune.
Dr Mafaune was evasive when contacted for comment on Wednesday.
“An audit was done there, and it is not like the directive (to report the matter to police) is coming from me. It is not me giving any directives. I cannot divulge that information as the Official Secrets Act does not permit me to do that,” said Dr Mafaune.
The six officials were suspended to pave way for investigations into operations of the tender committee.
Auditors returned to the hospital on Monday with a fresh mandate to extend investigations into 2012.
Auditors have 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.
The six, who were some members of a technical committee, allegedly connived to give contracts to brief case companies, raise double vouchers, purchase inflated inferior equipment and frustrate reputable suppliers by demanding unreasonable kick-backs, among other transgressions suspected to have bled the institution thousands of dollars.
Rusape General Hospital received $2,4 million under the Targeted Approach Programme in 2012, and so strong are suspicions that the facility was grossly abused.
The $2,4 million facility was meant to facelift the infrastructure, acquire critical equipment, utensils and drugs.
The TAP was funded by Government through the Ministry of Finance and it is alleged that there is a glaring mismatch between the money spent and the quality and value of the purchases made, works done, raising fears that the other chunk could have found its way into pockets of the individuals.
