Community service for leaking RBZ document

Zvikomborero Parafini

A RESERVE Bank of Zimbabwe economist, who was found guilty of leaking a confidential document on de-dollarisation of the economy to unauthorised persons, has been ordered to perform 240 hours of community service.

The document went viral on social media after the convict, Philton Makena, released it to the public.

Makena was convicted after a full trial by regional magistrate, Noel Mupeyiwa, who acquitted Smart Manda, who was appearing with him.

The pair was being charged with contravening Section 60 (1) of the RBZ Act Chapter 22:15, which requires “preservation of secrecy by bank employees.”

Makena was sentenced to 13 months in prison, six of which were suspended on condition he doesn’t commit a similar offence, in the next five years.

The remaining seven months were commuted to 240 hours of unpaid work to be done at Queensdale Primary School.

The State had it that sometime in March last year, RBZ governor, Dr John Mangudya, assigned John Mafararikwa (director economic policy and research) to work on a document titled “De-dollarisation roadmap.”

It would assist the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in the de-dollarisation of the economy over a five-year period.

Mafararikwa, assigned Nebson Mupunga to head a team of chief economists, comprising Samuel Tarinda, Getrude Machingura, Nicholas Masiyandima, Edmore Jaya, Douglas Mugwambi, Paul Mukoki, Tawanda Mubvuma, Manda and Tongai Tarubona, to brainstorm and produce the document.

On April 15, Manda received the document from Mupunga, via his central bank’s e-mail address, which is linked to his Gmail account.

The court heard that on receipt, he converted it into a portable document format.

It is alleged Manda sent the document, via WhatsApp to Makena, who was not part of the team but was an employee of RBZ.

That same day, Makena forwarded the document to his cousin, Bongani Zimuto via WhatsApp, who also forwarded it to his superior, Wonder Madyambudzi, a business development executive at Zimnat Life Assurance.

It went viral on various social media platforms. Oscar Madhume appeared for the State.