Former Minister of Health and Child Care, David Parirenyatwa is reported to have been arrested on charges of criminal abuse of office. According to Zimlive.com, the former cabinet who was axed when President Emmerson Mnangagwa named his latest cabinet last week has been picked by detectives from the Serious Fraud Squad.
Since President Emmerson Mnangagwa came into power in November, only one former cabinet minister, Samuel Undenge has been convicted of crimes related to his time in office. However, Undenge who was convicted of criminal abuse of office and sentenced to four years in prison is out on bail pending appeals against conviction and sentence. Other former ministers such as Ignatius Chombo and Walter Mzembi are yet to be convicted while Saviour Kasukuwere was acquitted on a charge of “border-jumping.”
Parrirenyatwa is accused of ordering Natpharm to employee his relative. Part of Parirenyatwa’s Charge Sheet reads,
On 04 June 2018, the accused acted contrary and inconsistent with his duties as a public offer by directing the Natpharm Board chairman, Dr George Washaya to end Nancy Sifeku’s contract with Natpharm as the Managing Director thereby showing disfavour to Flora Nancy Sifeku. The accused further indicated that he required Flora Nancy Sifeku’s services at the Ministry of Health and Care Head office for an indefinite period.
In the same directive, the accused showed favour to the Ministry’s Deputy Director Pharmaceutical Services, Newman Madzikwa by imposing him as the Acting Managing Director Natpharm with effect from 01 June 2018.
The Board implemented the directive by giving both Flora Nancy Sifeku and Newman Madzikwa six months contracts effectively from 01 June 2018 to 30 November 2018.
Newman Madzikwa was once employed by Natpharm as Branch Manager Masvingo and dismissed on 3 September 2009 for selling donated drugs to private institutions.
The accused’s actions created a double dipping of Natpharm funds as Natpharm is paying two salaries towards the Managing Director’s position thereby prejudicing Natpharm of $15 003-00 and $15 003-00 potentially.
The offence came to light through a tip-off on 11 September 2018 leading to the arrest of accused on 13 September 2018. The accused’s actions were prejudicial to the good administration of Natpharm and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Parirenyatwa appeared before Harare magistrate Elisha Singano who remanded him to the 26th of October. He was ordered to deposit $500 as bail.
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