The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested the Deputy Director of the Road Services Division in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Ernest Shenje.
ZACC said Shenje has been arrested on accusations of fraudulently claiming US$1 003 417 in compensation for a property affected by the construction of the new interchange at Mbudzi roundabout, along Simon Mazorodze Road, in Harare. He is expected to appear in court soon. ZACC said in a statement:
ZACC has arrested Mr Ernest Shenje, Dep Director Road Services Division in the Min of Transport & Infrastructure Dvt on charges of fraud, over a fraudulent claim of USD1 003 417-00 as compensation for a property affected by the construction of a multi-level interchange at Mbudzi.
Shenje, working in cahoots with one Levy Idana [who is still at large] and some lawyers, manufactured a fraudulent agreement of sale purporting that Levy Idana was the owner of Subdivision A of Subdivision B of Delft of Hopely which was in the name of John Maloney.
They used the fraudulent agreement of sale to claim compensation, misrepresenting that Idana had purchased the property.
Shenje went on to facilitate the processing working together with other Ministry officials. As a result, Idana was paid USD200 000.00.
Last week, a local weekly publication reported that ZACC had questioned several directors at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development over alleged fraudulent activities linked to Mbudzi Traffic Interchange project funds.
According to the report, the officials were quizzed by ZACC after whistle-blowers leaked details linking them to the “pillage” of a fund meant to compensate owners of companies and houses who were moved to pave the way for the construction of the traffic interchange.
Officials who spoke to the publication claimed that of this figure, US$12 million could have been paid out to 52 affected individuals and businesses by the end of 2023.
The US$88 million Mbudzi interchange is at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze Road, Chitungwiza Road and High Glen Road in Harare.
Funding for the project is being done through local financial institutions, while the contractor for the project is a joint venture of three local road construction companies: Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting and Masimba Construction, collectively coming under the banner of Tefoma Construction joint venture.
When complete, the interchange will have 13 bridges and 15 kilometres of interchange and service outlets.
This is expected to eliminate congestion at the point where two major highways meet the Beitbridge-Harare national highway.
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