Registrar General Clemence Masango yesterday appeared before Harare Magistrate facing theft charges reportedly emanating from allegations of abuse of fuel coupons worth over $100 000 at the central registry office, The Herald reports. Masango is charged together with Benjamin Makiwa, who was a transport officer in the department and Arthur Mathews, who was Masango’s personal driver.
Masango was reportedly denied bail and he spent the night in remand. It is the state’s case that:
Between January last year and early this year, Masango took possession of four pool vehicles of the Central Registry Department for personal errands at his home and farm.
Masango, acting with his co-accused, would corruptly request for fuel purporting that the vehicles were carrying out official finance and administration duties.
Masango would corruptly alter and issue overstated fuel quantities beyond those that would have been approved by the department’s chief accountant, Mr Peter Bwanya.
The scam prejudiced the department of over 1 400 litres worth more than $100 000. In some instances, Mathews would redeem the diesel fuel coupons for cash, which he would convert to own use.
Masango is currently on suspension after he was arrested and charged with criminal abuse of office allegations he has denied in court.
More: The Herald