Fraud accused transport ministry boss seeks bail
By Staff Reporter
Fraud accused Deputy Director Roads Division in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Ernest Shenje (39) returns to the Harare Magistrates’ Court this Tuesday for bail application.
Shenje is accused of facilitating a fraudulent disbursement of US$200 000 from government on behalf of his co-accused in respect of the multi-million dollar traffic inter-exchange at Mbudzi roundabout.
This is after the government put in place a fund to compensate property owners who were affected by the construction project.
One of the properties affected, according to prosecutors, belonged to Godfrey Bannister who holds title in respect of the property.
When compensation was due to be paid for the property, it is alleged, Shenje connived with one Levy Idana who is still at large and other individuals who are yet to be accounted for, to forge an agreement of sale using an old title deed in John Maloney’s name.
Maloney is predecessor to the title to Godfrey Bannister.
In so doing, prosecutors further claim, the accused persons intended to create an impression that the property had been sold to Levy Idana who was now the one due to be compensated.
The fraudulent agreement of sale and the old title deed were submitted to the accused person who in turn fast tracked the paperwork fo payment of the compensation.
Levy Idana received US100 000on the 8th and another US$100 000 on the 28th of December 2023 from treasury.
As a result of the fraudulent act, prosecutors say, the ministry of transport suffered an actual prejudice of US$200 000 and a potential prejudice of US$803 417.
