Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
GOKWE Town Council director of finance Joconia Nyoni has been arrested for allegedly abusing his office.
Nyoni (58) was arrested last Wednesday and later appeared before Gokwe magistrate Mr Hillary Ndlovu for allegedly defrauding his employer through flouting proper tender processes.
The court heard that Nyoni, working in cahoots with Gokwe Town Secretary, Melania Mandeya, allegedly prejudiced the council of thousands of dollars after conniving to flout tender processes in their favour. Mandeya is already on remand for similar charges.
Nyoni was granted $1 000 bail and will be back in court on 5 March for provision of a trial date.
As part of bail conditions, he was ordered to surrender his passport with the clerk of court, continue residing at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.
Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Wazvaremhaka told the court that Nyoni, in his capacity as the director of finance, connived with Mandeya to prejudice council of funds. Acting in connivance, Nyoni directly procured a 10KVA/10KWA solar power system from Nerenchia Power Rite Company on a fix and supply basis for Gokwe Town Council.
During the procurement procedure, the council was quoted US$14 792,50 by the said company.
Nyoni, however, went on to pay $325 435, using an unofficial foreign currency exchange rate, thereby favouring the said company and prejudicing council of large sums of money.
Had it been competitive bidding method, the court heard, the local authority could have saved thousands of dollars.
Nyoni also paid for 24 by 330 watts solar panels but only 20 by 400 watts solar panels were installed at the town house and the rest were unaccounted for.
Nyoni was represented by Mr Solomon Kangambeu of Chitere and Chidawanyika Legal Practitioners.
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