By TellZim Reporter
Three former Ministry of Health and Child Care officials from Masvingo Provincial Hospital remain entangled in a protracted court case that has stretched over four years.
The accused, Helga Mano (former accountant), Dzotso Chimedza Hamphrey Gibbs (former procurement assistant), and Shadreck Zangairai (former principal human resources officer) were transferred in 2021 to the Provincial Medical Director’s office pending finalization of the case.
The prolonged trial is reportedly due to the repeated absence of the key witness, Dr. Noel Zulu, the then-acting Masvingo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, who initially brought the complaint on behalf of the state.
According to a police docket obtained by TellZim News, the allegations date back to October 2021. Gibbs is accused of sourcing a quotation for a Whirlpool washing machine from TV Sales and Home amounting to US$1,468. On November 4, 2021, Mano allegedly facilitated an unauthorized cash withdrawal of the same amount from the hospital’s Banc ABC account. She instructed her subordinate, Pride Mupuwi, to withdraw the funds and make the payment.
Zangairai is said to have authorized the transaction by appending his signature, contravening the hospital’s banking agreement which required at least two signatories, including either the medical superintendent or the hospital matron, Justina Rufaro Nyakudzi.
Mupuwi proceeded to TV Sales and Home and paid US$890 for the appliance, revealing a US$578 inflation from the original quotation. A sales receipt was issued for the actual amount.
On November 16, Mano presented the withdrawal slip to Dr. Zulu for retroactive approval, which he refused since the transaction violated the hospital’s banking protocols. Later that same day, she allegedly instructed another subordinate, Sihle Maganyani, to retrieve US$573 from TV Sales and Home under the guise of a “discount,” despite the payment already having been made in full.
The discrepancy came to light during an internal audit conducted at Masvingo Provincial Hospital between October 27 and December 9, 2021, leading to the suspension and subsequent court case.
The judicial process remains unresolved, leaving the officials in professional and personal limbo. Legal experts and observers have raised concerns over the fairness and efficiency of the justice system when cases are unnecessarily prolonged due to witness non-attendance.
The three officials continue to await final resolution as the state’s case remains pending.
