BCC senior employee acquitted of US$54,637 fuel fraud

THE protracted trial of a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) senior divisional officer who was accused of defrauding the council of 37,560 litres of diesel worth about US$54,637 has come to an end after he was acquitted of the charges.

In acquitting Mr Peter Dube, Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea highlighted that it was a sign of inefficiency for the BCC to operate without a policy governing the use of fuel.

“What emerged during this trial is that the BCC does not have a policy governing the usage of fuel, and that is a glaring sign of inefficiency. The State witnesses gave different testimonies — one of the State witnesses told this court that the accused was entitled to 210 litres per week, while another gave a different figure, and that was not recorded. No document was brought before this court as evidence,” said Mr Ramaboea.

Mr Ramaboea also questioned the logic of conducting a road test without checking fuel consumption.

“The mechanical expert told this court that they changed air filters and oil, but they never checked how much fuel the vehicle consumed. Moreover, witnesses conceded during the trial that the odometer was not functioning, making it difficult to measure the distance travelled and the amount of fuel consumed. There was no logbook to record the mileage, which is again a glaring sign of inefficiency,” he said.

Dube is represented by Mr James Dliwayo, who argued that the vehicle was not regularly serviced and that when it was taken to a local garage, experts found that the engine was wet.

“The mechanical experts at a local garage found that the engine was wet, proving that it was leaking,” he said.

Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo said that in February 2021, Dube misrepresented to fuel attendants at Khami Stores and Famona Fire Station, failing to properly account for 472.49 litres of diesel valued at US$689.84.

The court heard that in May 2021, Dube allegedly defrauded the council of 614.11 litres of diesel worth US$896.60.

Between September 2021 and May 2022, he allegedly diverted 5,460.76 litres valued at US$7,972.71, while between June and July 2022, he reportedly prejudiced the council of 413.77 litres worth US$604.10.

From August to November 2022, Mr Dube allegedly diverted 1,524.50 litres of diesel valued at US$2,225.77.

Between January and April 2023, he allegedly misappropriated 3,790.05 litres worth US$5,533.47.

From May 2023 to March 2024, the accused reportedly prejudiced the council of 9,787.43 litres of diesel valued at US$14,289.65.

Between April and June 2024, he allegedly diverted 4,924.03 litres worth US$7,189.08, while in July 2024, he allegedly misappropriated 1,499.62 litres valued at US$2,189.45.

Finally, between August and November 2024, Mr Dube is alleged to have diverted 6,923.84 litres of diesel worth US$10,108.81 for his personal use.