The Sunday News
GWERU’S Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED) area accountant has been hauled before the courts for allegedly defrauding the utility of about $50 000 which was supposed to be paid to owners of vehicles that were hired by Government during last year’s referendum and harmonised elections.
Patrick Nyengera (39) of 20967 Unit A Extension, Seke in Chitungwiza pleaded not guilty to nine counts of fraud when he was arraigned before Gweru magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ncube.
He was remanded out of custody to Friday for trial.
For the State, Mr Munyaradzi Guvheya alleged that during the period extending from April to August last year, Nyengera defrauded CMED money amounting to close to $50 000 after he was entrusted with the cash that was disbursed to the utility by Government for the payment of clients whose vehicles were hired during last year’s referendum and harmonised elections.
Mr Guvheya alleged that on 11 April last year, the CMED head office deposited $146 798 into CMED Gweru’s CBZ Bank account for payment of vehicles hired for the referendum.
He alleged that Nyengera made three separate withdrawals of $15 000 on 17 April, $67 000 five days later and $30 000 the following day.
The court heard that Nyengera disbursed $99 949 before misappropriating the remaining $12 050.
Mr Guvheya alleged that Nyengera used the same method to defraud CMED on eight other occasions.
He told the court that on 21 August last year, Nyengera received $100 000 from CMED human resources officer Mr Vitalis Maziriri, which he was supposed to pay to individuals whose vehicles were hired during the harmonised elections.
On 26 August, the court heard that he withdrew $128 000 from the CMED Gweru bank account and disbursed $111 841 but withheld $14 960 which he also misappropriated.
Three days later, Mr Guvheya alleged that CMED Head Office deposited $21 060 into Gweru CMED bank account for payment of vehicles that were hired for 15 days during the harmonised elections.
Nyengera allegedly paid the vehicle owners part of the money and remained with $8 504.
Mr Guvheya said the matter came to light when an audit was conducted and Nyengera failed to account for about $50 000 and when the utility demanded the bank statement for the money which was deposited into the Gweru CMED bank account.
The matter was reported to police leading to Nyengera’s arrest.
