By Correspondent
Seven Masvingo Municipal police officers defrauded the local authority of over US$4000 in a prepared parking disc scam.
The fraud was unearthed by the local authority’s Chief Internal Auditor Dorcus Makusha.
Her office was conducting investigations on the issuance of free parking discs to Masvingo’s senior citizens.
“It was noted that most vehicles were issued with free discs without proper application procedures and without authorization.
“These discs were issued without any application or proof of payment to council for those who were given the discs.
“They were given discs with a life span of over eight years,” the report noted.
The seven implicated in the fraud were identified as Municipal Police Sgt Munyuki Sgt Zabura, Cpl Zendera, Cst Siyakwazi, Cst Mateza, Cst Mhlanga and Cst Muza.
Officials in the Ministry of Education were noted in the report as major beneficiaries of the fraud.
“Some vehicles were issued special exemption discs as Ministry of Education vehicles.
“However, the vehicles simply belonged to individuals who worked at the Ministry of Education offices.
“Some discs were issued to individuals with addresses outside Masvingo city jurisdiction.
“Even deceased persons were also issued with the discs,” read the report.