adminRichard Muponde, Sunday News Correspondent
SUSPENDED Hwange Rural District Council treasurer Mafa Ngwenya’s case of allegedly misappropriating close to $8 000 is now in the hands of police, amid indications that investigations are now through and he will appear in court soon.
Ngwenya’s alleged shenanigans were exposed through an internal audit after it was discovered that during the period between January 2014 and June this year he would allegedly either under-bank or inflate tenders and convert money to his own use.
There are other amounts that have not been reconciled which are still being investigated and may unearth massive abuse of council funds involving a number of workers, an audit team led by Hwange district administrator Mr Tapera Mugoriya said in a report. After the discovery of the scam, Ngwenya was suspended and the matter referred to the police.
A source close to the matter last week confirmed that police have completed their investigations and were ready to take Ngwenya to court.
“We have been advised that investigations are now through. Police have been updating us about their progress and he might appear in court soon,” said the source.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Siphiwe Makonese could neither confirm nor deny that the police were investigating the matter as she said she was out of office. However, a police source has confirmed that indeed police have been investigating the matter.
According to the audit report, the bulk of the abused funds were from sub-offices in Kamativi, Dete and Lukosi main office.
The audit team also stated an attempt by Ngwenya to stall investigations as he allegedly threatened subordinate staff.
“A total of $2 910 from Kamativi sub office and $4 659 at Dete sub-office totalling $7 479 could not be accounted for by Mr Mafa Ngwenya the council treasurer while $324 could not be accounted for by Rachel Nyathi,” read part of the report.
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