Chidzonga denies taking fuel from ZERC

w that between January and April this year, Chidzonga siphoned about 5000 litres of petrol and diesel worth almost Z$600 million. Reliable sources have said that the petrol and diesel was fed to Chidzonga’s relatives’ buses known as Nyamweda Bus Service. Nyamweda is her maiden name.
Chidzonga denied the allegations. “I am not aware of such transactions and the Commission records do not reflect any such transactions. The Commission is not missing any such fuel. The Nyamweda brothers are ready to testify. Nyamweda Busses have never needed Dr Chidzonga for fuel,” she said.
The audit report shows that in January, Chidzonga, who is entitled to 350litres per month exceeded her allocation by 640 litre despite also receiving a further 535 litres under the guise of operations. In February she withdrew an excess of 555 litres and received a further 165 litres as operations. In March, Chidzonga exceeded her limit by 1185 litres and received a further 370 litres as operations. In April, Chidzonga exceeded her limit by 1515 litres and received a further 245 litres as operations.
ZERC is the regulatory authority of the electricity industry and is funded from license fees from power utility ZESA, currently struggling to pay creditors for electricity supplies.
The audit report has become the basis of an investigation by the Accounts and Audit Committee, which held a meeting on last month to probe Chidzonga.
The chairperson of ZERC’s Audit and Finance Committee, Desire Mutize Sibanda, said new arrangements had been put in place following a meeting with Chidzonga over the issues contained in the report.
But highly placed sources said Chidzonga went hysterical, accusing Sibanda of harbouring intentions to take over her position at ZERC. She then stormed out of the meeting claiming that she was being stressed. Chidzonga also allegedly claimed she was sick on to avoid attending the Finance and Audit Committee meeting, which was held on Friday and geared to grill her on the matter. Sources said she was overwhelmed at the evidence obtained against her by the committee.
“We are satisfied that the new arrangements will assist the parastatal to strengthen controls and institute any improvements in both human and financial administration. The areas targeted for controls include recruitment, fuel and hire of vehicles,” said a diplomatic Sibanda.
“The Audit committee has however tasked the internal auditor to work closely with the Commissioner General to strengthen internal controls in areas which may have given rise to these allegations,” he added.
He said his committee was tasked by government to ensure financial accountability at the ZERC.
“Our role as the Audit committee of ZERC is to ensure financial accountability in the management of ZERC. A meeting of the ZERC Audit Committee was held last week, among other things to examine the allegations contained in the letter you sent me. I also had a meeting with the Commissioner General,” said Sibanda.
Sources alleged that one James Mugozhi, Chidzonga’s former driver was the conduit who delivered fuel from an Exor garage in Pomona to Nyamweda Bus Service premises in Western Triangle. Mugozhi was dismissed together with a former messenger at ZERC after they claimed that the fuel he had stolen was far too little compared to what Chidzonga has been siphoning since she was appointed ZERC Commissioner General in June 2005.
Chidzonga admitted that Mugozhi was at some point sent to Nyamweda Bus Service and had since been fired for stealing.
“James (Mugozhi) was only sent on one occasion to pick up empty drums from Nyamweda Brothers,” she said. “It would be of benefit for your office to know as background to this matter that James Mugozhi was dismissed from employment last week for stealing and selling ZERC fuel.”
Chidzonga conceded that she had given ZERC fuel to her Anglican church reverend.
“I am entitled to a monthly personal fuel allocation of 350 litres. This was part of my allocation that I gave to the Reverend (30 ltrs). He was my Parish priest whom I assisted when he had a funeral,” she said.
Out of the 18 ZERC employees, seven are allegedly Chidzonga’s relatives. (names supplied). She denied this but said: “As regards Tonderai yes he is a relation, For a personal driver one needs someone they can trust . I have young kids to be picked up and I need someone I know and trust to drive me and my family. James was a personal driver for the previous Commissioner but refused to drive me and opted to be a pool driver. Records are available for you. I then had to hire another driver. This was done transparently through a hiring agency.”
Energy and Power Development minister Mike Nyambuya could not be reached for comment.