Zacc probes official over Blakiston Jnr corruption

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

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Herald Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has set up a board of inquiry to investigate one of its officials (name withheld), who reportedly received bribes to cover up a corruption scandal that has rocked Blakiston Junior School in Harare.

Based in Milton Park, the school is run by the Government.

In written responses to inquiries about the involvement of one of its officials, ZACC said: “The Commission was not aware of the bribery allegations against one of its officers. We thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.

“Now that we are aware, a board of inquiry has been set up to look into the matter. We will update of the outcome of the inquiry.”

Zacc also said it has an established complaints handling mechanism and anyone aggrieved by the conduct of any Commission official should report through the following platforms: email: reports@zacc.co.zw, WhatsApp: +263719529483, or Legal and Prosecution Liaison on +263719529489 and on +263712164576.

A thorough investigation by the Check Point Desk, which was published last Saturday in The Herald, has established that nearly US$60 000 was drained from the school’s coffers over the past three years.

Allegations of systematic fraud, bribery, improper procurement, and financial mismanagement have been levelled against the school’s administration.

School head, Ms Memory Chaikosa, who was suspended on February 17 over the same allegations, school development committee (SDC) chairperson Mr Ronald Gurure and a former SDC bursar Mr Ronald Mashonganyika, are at the centre of the scam, which also implicates a ZACC officer and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education auditors.

A “confidential” Blakiston Jnr School’s SDC draft findings report presented to the school management, shows a US$58 448,50 discrepancy in banked funds.

According to the report, the variance was due to unaccounted withdrawals, many of which lacked supporting documentation, including delivery notes, invoices, receipts and quotations, all mandatory requirements under the financial management guidelines for non-finance education managers.