Dismissed Liquor Board employee in alleged licence fraud

Tsamwisai Richard Chitombo was charged with fraud when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa, who granted him US$300 bail.

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

A former Bulawayo-based liquor licensing board official has allegedly been masquerading as a Government employee and duping unsuspecting members of the public seeking operating licences.

The former employee, Mr Oswald Katuwe, who was employed as a clerk, allegedly misrepresented facts to aspiring liquor licence applicants, claiming he was still a Government employee, demanding money for the service and then disappearing.

In a public awareness notice, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said the fraud suspect was dismissed as a Government employee on February 7 following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.

“The Ministry has received reports alleging that Mr Katuwe has been soliciting and receiving substantial sums of money from unsuspecting members of the public while misrepresenting himself as a serving Government employee. He allegedly claimed to be facilitating the processing and acquisition of liquor licences,” said the Ministry in a statement, describing the alleged conduct as fraudulent and criminal in nature.

Affected individuals have been encouraged to report such matters to relevant law enforcement agencies to allow the justice delivery system to take its course.

“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that such conduct is fraudulent and criminal in nature. Affected members of the public and business operators are encouraged to report such matters to the relevant law enforcement agencies so that the justice delivery system may take its course,” said the Ministry.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, integrity and the protection of the public from fraudulent and criminal activities.