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Nokutenda Chiyangwa and Anesu Madiye
Former Heath and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa has appeared in court facing a charge of criminal abuse of office after his actions allegedly resulted in the State losing $30 000 paid to two managing directors at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm).
Parirenyatwa (68), who was arrested this morning, was formally charged under Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elisha Singano.
According to the State outline, Parirenyatwa on June 4, 2018 ordered NatPharm board chairman, Dr George Washaya, to terminate Flora Nancy Sifeku’s contract as managing director of the Government-owned company saying he required her services at his then Ministry.
Parirenyatwa further directed Dr Washaya to appoint Newman Madzikwa as the acting managing director of NatPharm with effect from June 1, 2018.
The board complied with the directive resulting in Sifeku and Mr Madzikwa both being given six-month contracts with effect from June to November 30, 2018.
This resulted in NatPharm paying two salaries concurrently to Sifeku and Madzikwa for the managing director’s position, thereby prejudicing the company of $30 000.
Madzikwa was once employed by NatPharm as branch manager in Masvingo but dismissed on September 3 2009 for allegedly selling donated drugs to private institutions.
Parirenyatwa, who was represented by Mr James Makiya, was remanded out of custody on $500 bail and ordered to surrender his passport, among other conditions
More to follow…
Online Reporter