THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) reportedly lost more than US$48 000 and ZWG94 000 000 to a former personal assistant (PA) of the chief executive Taurai Marukira after she fraudulently processed purchase orders which did not exist.
Mercy Ndiweni (42) appeared before Harare magistrate Patricia Kamwanda, who remanded her to October 10 for routine remand on US$150 bail.
She was advised to reside at her given address, surrender her passport to the clerk of court and report at CID Commercial Crimes Division once every week.
Zinwa is being represented by Waddilove Mandiziba, the water supply serves and rural development director.
Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi said during Ndiweni’s tenure as a personal assistant to Marukira, her duties included overseeing all administrative issues in the office and making requisitions for payments on behalf of Zinwa.
Between March 6 and 21 this year, Ndiweni allegedly generated purchase orders purporting that they were for executive accommodation.
She allegedly generated fake proforma invoices in the names of Baxley BnB Vacation rentals in Hillside, Bulawayo and The Residence in Masvingo, which are in the business of offering accommodation services to Zinwa.
The State further alleged that after processing the fake proforma invoices, Ndiweni generated and processed expenditure vouchers which she sent for payment authorisation.
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Chonzi told the court that Ndiweni misrepresented that accommodation services were being offered to Marukira and other senior staff members, yet the payments were being deposited into her personal accounts.
On August 21 this year, Zinwa noticed some financial discrepancies on the expenditure schedule and called for an analysis of all expenses.
It was discovered that Ndiweni had facilitated a payment of US$6 750 to The Residence as accommodation for Marukira and Mandiziba when the two were in Mutare.
Further investigations revealed 19 transactions with a cumulative value of US$48 650 and ZWG94 000 000 which were made by Ndiweni.
