NEW: Two directors arrested for defrauding US$415 000 from Harare

Online Reporter

THE directors of a company that allegedly defrauded Harare City Council US$415 000 that was meant for a biogas project in Mbare in 2015 have been arrested.

City of Harare received the money as a grant from the European Union to design and construct a biogas digester and a 100kVA generator.

According to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), Synlak Pvt Ltd, through its directors Vusumuzi James Mpofu and Nobukhosi Mpofu, secured the contract after misrepresenting that it was an authorised reseller for Camda New Energy Technology Co. Ltd, a key requirement under the tender conditions.

Working in connivance with City of Harare officials — ex-Director of Works Phillip Pfukwa and former Chamber Secretary Josephine Ncube, both already in remand on related charges — the company allegedly manipulated payment processes to receive funds before completing the project.

The funds were deposited into Synlak’s CABS and BancABC accounts, from which Vusumuzi and Nobukhosi, as signatories, made cash withdrawals.

The City of Harare, represented by Acting Town Clerk Mabhena Moyo, reported the matter to the ZACC, leading to the duo’s arrests.

Vusumuzi and Nobukhosi are set to appear in court today.

Moses Mpofu, who is in custody pending finalisation of his corruption-related criminal offences at court, is also linked to Synlak Pvt Ltd.