ZACC Goes After Former Parirenyatwa Pharmacist

The Zimbabwe anti-graft body has set its sights on a former Parirenyatwa pharmacist Russel Tatenda Mweye who reportedly manipulated the tender process and awarded a tender to his company, Daily News reports.

According to the publication:

March 2016, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals flighted a tender requesting bids for the supply and delivery of medical sutures. The tender committee carried out due process and awarded the tender to Flancon Investments (Private) Limited citing that the company was the cheapest bidder after it charged US$37 844,60.

According to court papers, order forms were raised by the procurement department and forwarded to Mwenye for recommendation before it was to be forwarded to the chief pharmacist for approval.
Mutangadura further said that Mwenye then assigned his subordinate, Yvonne Mudimu, to purchase the medical sutures from Silksilver Investments (Private) Limited, a company he had interest in.

The company had participated in the tender process but had failed to meet the requirements.
The company supplied the order but charged US$86 381,88. Mutangadura said Mwenye abused his duty, leading to the hospital being prejudiced US$48 537,28. He said after the money was transferred into Silksilver Investments’ bank account, part of it was transferred for Mwenye’s benefit.

According to court papers, part of the money, amounting to US$15 608, was used to purchase Mwenye and Vera’s residential stand in Mabvazuva Township, Ruwa.  After the offence was unearthed, Mwenye was sacked from employment. It was later discovered that Mwenye was the beneficial owner of Silksilver Investments and that he and Vera were signatories to the company’s bank account.

The Prosecutor General is reportedly seeking permission from the high court to confiscated Mweye’s house.