President Emmerson Mnangagwa is studying a forensic audit
report on Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) amid indications that
more than $3 million could have been taken from the fund in suspicious circumstances.
Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira told
NewsDay the report was now with Mnangagwa and action will be taken after his
approval.
“A lot of issues were raised and recommendations made, but
at the moment, I cannot divulge as to what will be done to anyone until the
President has finished studying the report and given directions. This is a
forensic audit and by its nature, it makes recommendations,” Murwira said.
The audit was undertaken amid suspicion that former Higher
and Education minister Jonathan Moyo had abused the fund for personnel gain.
In the run up to the audit in December, Murwira sent six
top managers at Zimdef on forced leave to allow the probe to go on without
challenges.
The managers include chief executive officer Fredrick
Mandizvidza, principal finance director and administrator Nicholas Mapute;
human resources manager Ignatius Kanjengo; chief accountant Ropafadzo Mukamba
and senior revenue manager, James Gombarago.
Moyo, currently in self-imposed exile and his former
deputy, Godfrey Gandawa were accused of siphoning over $400 000 from Zimdef.
Zimdef funds are meant to support students at tertiary
institutions.
At one point, Gandawa allegedly bought personal furniture
using Zimdef funds, while Moyo confirmed buying bicycles for his then
Tsholotsho North constituency. The Zanu PF youth league then led by Kudzanai
Chipanga was also a big beneficiary of Zimdef funds.
Information at hand also suggested that auditors unearthed
questionable procurement of some properties by Zimdef.
It was alleged that the parastatal purchased Pandhari Lodge
for $2,2 million after outbidding other potential buyers, and also bought another
property along Tongogara Street in Harare for over $2 million.
The auditors were also reportedly interested in knowing how
Zimdef monies were spent on the Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) programme.
“In 2016, ZITF related gobbled $1 million compared to $22
000 in 2015 and these are some of the documents that were requested by the
auditors,” a preliminary report read.
It is also believed that managers were allegedly getting
460 litres of fuel per month, $2 500 school fees per child with a maximum of
three children being covered, $300 telephone allowances and $120 airtime per
month. Newsday
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