Ministry boss arrested over US$200 000 Mbudzi roundabout fraud
By Tapiwa Svondo
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed arresting transport ministry Deputy Director of Road Services Division Ernest Shenje for allegedly facilitating a fraudulent claim of US$200 000 involving a private property located at the Mbudzi roundabout construction site, Harare.
The arrest, according to a statement by the corruption buster, follows a probe into a suspicious claim of US$1 003 417 in compensation related to the construction of the multi-level traffic interchange.
The fraudulent claim was centred around a property affected by the interchange’s construction, located at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza, and High Glen Roads.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Mr. Ernest Shenje, Deputy Director Road Services Division in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development on charges of fraud,” ZACC said.
“The allegations arose from a fraudulent claim of US$1,003,417 as compensation for a property that was affected by the construction of a multi-level interchange at Mbudzi roundabout which is at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza and High Glen Roads.
“The accused, working in cahoots with one Levy Idana (who is still at large) and some lawyers, manufactured a fraudulent agreement of sale purporting that Levy Idana was the owner of Subdivision A of Subdivision B of Delft of Hopley which was in the name of John Maloney.
“They used the fraudulent agreement of sale to claim compensation, misrepresenting that Idana had purchased the property from John Maloney.
“The accused went on to facilitate the processing working together with other ministry officials.
“As a result of their fraudulent claim, Idana was paid US$200,000.
“Shenje will appear at Harare Magistrate Court on 27 January 2024.”
