Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
A CHINHOYI Provincial Hospital acting tutor-in-charge and a police constable have appeared in court over allegations of soliciting a US$1 200 bribe to secure a place for a prospective student nurse.
Wonder Mushongahande (56), of Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, and Cynthia Chinoda (35), a Zimbabwe Republic Police constable stationed at Karoi Traffic Section, are facing bribery charges under Section 170 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
Mushongahande appeared before Chinhoyi magistrate Mr Marufu on Monday, with the State alleging that he connived with Chinoda and two other people to facilitate the payment of the bribe.
The case arose from a Ministry of Health and Child Care general nurse recruitment programme advertised on October 26 last year for the May and September 2026 intakes.
According to the State outline, Chinoda saw the advert on social media and approached her former workmate, Unity Chakona, an officer-in-charge at Chinhoyi Traffic Section, seeking assistance in securing a place for her relative, Godfrey Kambarami.
Chakona allegedly approached Dananai Perpetual Musonza, a nurse aide attached to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital’s mortuary, who then linked him with Mushongahande.
The court heard that on November 14 last year, Mushongahande allegedly told Musonza that US$1 500 was required as a “facilitation fee” to create room for negotiations.
Musonza allegedly relayed the demand to Chakona, who informed Chinoda that only US$1 200 had been raised.
Mushongahande allegedly agreed to accept the reduced amount. The State alleges that on November 19, Chinoda and Kambarami travelled to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital and handed US$1 200 to Musonza near the hospital mortuary.
Investigations allegedly uncovered communications between Mushongahande and Musonza, as well as between Chinoda and other people involved in the transaction.
The State further alleges that Mushongahande was arrested in connection with a separate bribery case, leading to the seizure of his Redmi 13C cellphone and Chinoda’s Tecno Spark.
The devices were sent to the ZRP Cyber Lab for forensic examination. Two forensic reports allegedly revealed communications supporting the State’s case that Mushongahande and Chinoda had connived to facilitate payment of the bribe, initially pegged at US$1 500 before being reduced to US$1 200.
Mushongahande was granted US$50 bail and ordered to report fortnightly to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, reside at his given address and not interfere with State witnesses.
He was remanded to September 15 for trial. Faith Mukuvadze prosecuted.
