Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
The Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe’s vice chairperson is in trouble for allegedly siphoning money from the council’s coffers to cover personal legal fees for an official.
Zindoga Tizirai Bungu, a medical doctor, appeared before regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei on charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
He was not asked to plead to the allegations and was granted US$200 bail. Bungu has also been ordered not to visit his workplace and not to interfere with witnesses.
It is alleged that on December 17, 2024 the council’s registrar, Colin Benyure, was arrested by CID CCD and appeared at Harare Magistrates Court for a case of perjury, charged in his personal capacity.
On March 3 this year, the council’s chairperson Rose Kambarami and Bungu, connived and resolved that the council pays for Benyure’s legal fees.
As a result of the resolution made by the two and signed on March 4, 2025, the council’s finance department withdrew US$4 120 and US$3 690,99 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 a special council meeting held on January 9 and 15, respectively, which resolved that Benyure should be responsible for his legal costs.
The meetings reportedly resolved that the onus was on Benyure to defend his case as per legal advice they received from their council’s lawyers.
The State also alleges that this was contrary to the provisions of Public Finance Management Act Regulations and also contrary to their duties as public officers with the intention of conferring an undue benefit to 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 reportedly forwarded the directive to the finance office, which attended to the directive and 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 without the knowledge and approval.
The court heard that council and special council meetings resolved that he should reimburse the US$200 paid for his bail, and he should be responsible for his legal costs.
The State says that to date, the money has not been reimbursed, which is contrary and inconsistent with his duties as a public officer.
