Martin Muleya
Former Chief Executive Officer of Buhera Rural District Council Emily Chibvongodze and head of the Procurement Management Unit Torai Mudyiwa, appeared before Murambinda magistrate Tatenda Makwanya on charges of criminal abuse of office.
Chibvongodze and Mudyiwa were granted US$1 500 bail each and will be back in the dock on the 13th of February 2025..
The duo who were arrested on Thursday afternoon were represented by Nhambura of Mugadza and Chinzamba Law Firm.
It was the State’s case led by Connie Nyamaropa that Chibvongodze while still the accounting officer at Buhera Rural District Council, unlawfully awarded a tender to a company that did not satisfy the prescribed requirements, resulting in financial prejudice to council.
“In June 2022, Buhera RDC initiated a tender to procure a motorized grader, drill rig, a SUV and double cab vehicle. Seven bidders responded including Leapium Holdings Equipment, which later secured the grader contract despite failing to meet financial requirements.
“Investigations revealed that the council’s Evaluation Committee flagged Leapium Holdings because of inadequate documents they had submitted and requested for submission before any award could be considered. The company had allegedly not submitted mandatory documents including VAT clearance, NSSA registration and dealership authority,” prosecuted Nyamaropa.
The court heard that on August 05 2022, Chibvongodze and Mudyiwa ignored the Evaluation Committee’s recommendations and granted Leapium Holdings the award on grounds that they were the lowest bidder.
It is alleged that Chibvongodze went on to sign a contract with Leapium Holdings for the grader and Buhera RDC paid US$131 687.00 but the grader was never delivered.
Leapium Holdings later refunded US$9 342.00 leaving council with a net loss of US$122 345.00
