Online Reporter
Mathew Masinge
Two former senior City of Harare officials stand accused of fraudulently facilitating payment of US$465 290 to Synlak Investment (Pvt) Limited for its Mbare Biogas Project which has failed to kick off since 2015.
Former Director of Works, Phillip Pfukwa (70), and Josephine Ncube (62), the former Chamber Secretary, were admitted to US$ 400 bail each when they appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The duo are expected back in court on April 14 for continuation.
The State said the duo manipulated the contract to benefit Synlak Investments without the necessary approvals from the city’s procurement committees.
Prosecuting, Lancelot Mutsokoti said the City Council received a €350 500 grant from the European Union in December 2013 and instead of following proper procurement procedures, Pfukwa and Ncube allegedly bypassed key adjudication processes.
The duo allegedly misrepresented information to push through the contract while Pfukwa conducted the tender evaluation himself.
Pfukwa’s actions were contrary to the City bylaws that require an independent review by the Town Clerk and the procurement committee.
In her role, Ncube connived with Pfukwa to issue an internal memorandum directing that Synlak Investments had met the criteria.
The Council went on to award Synlak the contract on December 31, 2015, without an oversight from the relevant committees, a violation of the Procurement Act and City of Harare regulations.
The court heard that following the fraudulent contract award, Synlak Investments received the full payment of US$465 290 from the City of Harare.
However, investigations revealed that the company failed to deliver the agreed work, leaving the project incomplete and prejudicing the city.
The State further alleges that Pfukwa and Ncube knowingly acted against their official duties, with the intent of giving Synlak an unfair advantage.
Their actions resulted in financial loss to the city and stalled progress on the biogas project, which was expected to provide an alternative energy source for Mbare.
