Munyaradzi Doma
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation’s Acting general manager, Luke Akino will have to face the legal challenge on his own following the death of his co-accused, David Murangari.
Akino was at Harare magistrate court facing allegations of abuse of office, a charge he was jointly facing with the now late former board chairman, Murangari.
Murangari passed away last month at a local clinic after a short illness before their case had been concluded.
Following Murangari’s demise, the State led by prosecutor Michael Reza then made an application to have separation of trial.
Harare Magistrate Hosea Mujaya granted the state’s application and this has now left Akino facing the charges on his own.
Allegations are that sometime in July 2017, ZMDC received $7 million from Fidelity Printers through its then acting general manager Garikai Chimhina for the resuscitation of Jena Mine, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ZMDC which was facing challenges.
State led by prosecutor Michael Reza alleges that in August 2017, ZMDC board chaired by Murangari appointed Akino as acting general manager and he influenced ZMDC to engage Thomas Mushungupa’s company, Mushungupa and Muhita Engineering Projects (Pvt) Ltd, to resuscitate Jena Mine.
It is said this was to show favour to his acquaintance and former Bindura Nickel Corporation workmate Mushungupa.
On September 28 same year, it is said Akino acting on instruction of Murangari, invited Mushungupa to discuss the scope of work that was to be undertaken at Jena Mine.
The court heard that a meeting was convened on October 19 by the legal, audit and risk committee that Akino was considering contracting the services of an independent mining contractor to address the mining challenges at Jena mines and an informal tend.
The State alleges that sometime in October, Akino and Murangari engaged the service of Mushungupa and Muhita Engineering Projects at a cost of 8 126 to carry out the project without following tender procedures as stipulated in the Procurement Act. billigt ivenox
It is said that on November 20, Murangari ordered Jena Mine to pay Mushungupa and Muhita Engineering $25 252 before signing the project management agreement contract and the next day the company commenced work without a contract.
And it is said on March 22, 2018, Akino signed a contract on behalf of Jena Mine when Mushungupa had already commenced work four months prior to the signing date. ivermectin expire
Investigations revealed that Akino had worked with Mushungupa at Bindura Nickel Mine in 1995 and also revealed that Muringari worked together with the contractor at Bindura Nickel Mine from 2007 to 2016. ivermectina quanox gotas para que sirve viagra site francais
Further allegations are that Akino and Muringari’s engagement of Mushungupa’s company in the absence of competition and evidence of due diligence on costs contrary to sections of Procurement Act violated tender procedures.
