Masvingo’s Town Clerk in court for fraud

Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent

Masvingo Town Clerk, Edward Mukaratirwa appeared before the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court for criminal abuse of duty after he fraudulently authorised the procurement of a vehicle that was more expensive than the one he was supposed to get.
Mukaratirwa also claimed another vehicle that had been donated to the council for service delivery.
He was remanded out of custody to August 9.
It is the State’s case that Mukaratirwa allegedly authorised the procurement of a Toyota Prado VX-L as part of his conditions of service instead of a Toyota Prado VX 3.0 litre engine, which had been approved by the City of Masvingo and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The Toyota Prado VX-L was valued at US$251 798, while the Toyota Prado VX 3.0 litre engine was valued at US$109 151.
The court also heard that Mukaratirwa misrepresented to the Masvingo City Council that a Toyota Hilux that had been donated by the African Development Bank for service delivery had been allocated to him as part of his package.
Acting on the misrepresentation, the local authority agreed to transfer the vehicle’s ownership to the accused person.