Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
THE Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe chairperson and Registrar are facing accusations of allegedly siphoning money from the organisation’s coffers to cover personal legal fees.
Rose Kambarami and Collin Benyure appeared before Regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei on charges of criminal abuse of duty.
They were not asked to plead to the allegations and were remanded out of custody on US$200 bail each.
They have also been ordered not to visit their workplace and also not to interfere with witnesses.
It is alleged that on December 17, last year, Benyure was arrested by detectives and appeared at Harare Magistrates Court charged with perjury.
On March 3 this year, The State claims Kambarami and the council’s vice-chairperson Zindoga Bungu allegedly connived and resolved that the council would pay Benyure’s legal fees.
As result of the resolution by the two, the MDPCZ finance department withdrew US$4120 and US$3 690.99 was meant to reimburse Benyure’s legal fees which he had incurred as a result of the case
The State alleges that this was done against resolutions of the council’s meeting and special council meetings held on January 9 and 15 which resolved that Benyure should be responsible for his legal costs.
The State also alleges that this was contrary to the provisions of Public Finance Management Act Regulations and also contrary to her duties as a public officer with the intention of conferring an undue benefit to Dr Benyure.
Benyure was charged for using the council’s money to pay his US$200 bail.
The State alleges that after his appearance in court last year, he used his position as the acting registrar and instructed his subordinate Filistas Chari, the administrator at the council, to give him the US$200 from the council’s funds to deposit bail.
Chari forwarded the directive to the finance office which handed over US$200 to Tendai Chinyama, who delivered it to the accused at Harare Magistrates Court.
The State alleges that this was contrary to the Public Finance Management Act Regulations as the money was taken from Council funds.
The State says to date the money has not been reimbursed, which is contrary and inconsistent with his duties as a public officer.
