Online Reporter
SIX officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, including Chief Director of Local Authorities Khonzani Ncube, appeared before a Harare court today on allegations of fraud involving duplicate travelling and subsistence claims that prejudiced the State of ZiG360 644 and local authorities of US$19 419.
Ncube (52) appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye alongside administrator Pamela Chitengu, Annah Takaendesa, accountant Sebele Likel, Mashonaland East provincial director Maxwell Mabhuro and principal administrator Ruvimbo Chahuruva.
The six were arrested on Friday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on fraud allegations.
Ncube faces an additional charge of criminal abuse of duty.
They were remanded to November 24, 2026 on bail of US$500 for Ncube and $100 for the other five accused.
According to the State, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works launched a nationwide Local Authorities Systems Audit covering all 92 local authorities in April 2025.
A circular directed that local authorities would cover the travel and subsistence expenses of deployed officials, while the ministry would provide transport.
Investigations established that Ncube allegedly authorised a request for the ministry to pay travel and subsistence allowances to 54 officials, including herself.
The other five accused, who constituted the Mashonaland East audit team covering 10 local authorities, allegedly acted in common purpose to claim payments from both the ministry and local authorities for the same assignment.
On May 11, 2025, they submitted travel and subsistence claims to the ministry for the period May 11 -31, 2025, while also claiming and receiving allowances, fuel and toll fees from the local authorities.
The audit team allegedly spent 40 actual days in Mashonaland East between May 12 and June 19, 2025, but claimed allowances for 45 days, creating five days.
The officials allegedly concealed from the ministry that they had already been paid by the local authorities.
