Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Writer
A Bulawayo City Council (BCC) senior divisional officer in charge of the ambulance unit, Peter Dube, has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding the council of 37 560 litres of fuel worth about US$54 637.
Dube appeared in court on Monday before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate, Mr Richard Ramaboea, facing 13 counts of fraud. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody to Thursday, November 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The accused had been authorised by the local authority to refuel his vehicle to full tank at either Khami Stores or Famona Fire Station for official duties.
Prosecuting, Mr Denmark Chihombe said: “During February 2021, the accused misrepresented to fuel attendants at Khami Stores and Famona Fire Station to refuel his vehicle. The accused person omitted to account for the fuel, thereby prejudicing BCC of 472,49 litres of diesel amounting to US$689,84 for his personal use.”
In March 2021, Dube allegedly repeated the offence, incorrectly accounting for fuel and prejudicing the council of 491,07 litres of diesel worth US$716,96. In April 2021, the accused again misrepresented to fuel attendants to refuel his command vehicle.
“Dube incorrectly accounted for the fuel, thereby prejudicing BCC of 771,9 litres of diesel amounting to US$1 126,97 for his own use,” the court heard.
In May 2021, he allegedly defrauded the council of 614,11 litres of diesel worth US$896,60. Using the same modus operandi, Dube reportedly diverted 887,3 litres of diesel valued at US$1 295,40.
Between September 2021 and May 2022, he allegedly defrauded his employer of 5 460,76 litres of diesel amounting to US$7 972,71. Between June and July 2022, he reportedly prejudiced the council of 413,77 litres worth US$604,10.
The court heard that between August and November 2022, Dube allegedly diverted 1 524,50 litres of diesel valued at US$2 225,77.
Between January and April 2023, he reportedly diverted 3 790,05 litres worth US$5 533,47.
From May 2023 to March 2024, he allegedly prejudiced the council of 9 787,43 litres of diesel amounting to US$14 289,65. Between April and June 2024, Dube allegedly diverted 4 924,03 litres worth US$7 189,08, while in July 2024, he allegedly took 1 499,62 litres valued at US$2 189,45.
Finally, between August and November 2024, Dube reportedly diverted 6 923,84 litres of diesel amounting to US$10 108,81 for his personal use.
