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committee.

Mandinde has been on suspension since last month following the unearthing of financial irregularities by an audit committee set up by Government.
He has since been arrested on allegations of swindling council of US$71 000.

Last Friday, Mandinde appeared in a Chinhoyi court to answer fraud charges. He was not asked to plead to the charges and was remanded out of custody to June 17.
The disciplinary committee recommended Mandinde’s immediate dismissal after it ruled that he had a case to answer. Town clerk Mr Ezekiel Muringani confirmed the dismissal without giving details.

“Yes I have heard that he has been dismissed but I am yet to be briefed on that matter since I am on study leave,” he said. Mandinde declined to comment when he was contacted for comment yesterday. Said Mandinde: “I can’t say anything at the moment. Talk to the town clerk.”

The disciplinary committee led by Mr K Shumba found Mandinde guilty and recommended his dismissal.
Mayor Mr Claudius Nyamhondoro confirmed that the treasurer had been dismissed but could not be drawn into commenting further.

Mandinde was suspended in April before council filed a fraud case with the police leading to his arrest.
He is facing allegations of gross mismanagement of the finance function arising from transactions entered into between December 24, 2009 and April this year.

He allegedly took US$71 000 from the collection points without following procedure and signing for it. The audit also noted poor management of the finance function as shown by the fact that the 2009 and 2010 books were not in order. Some of the vouchers paying councillors and individuals were not acquitted while others had no supporting documents or were missing.

At least 90 percent of payment vouchers were not approved or authorised leading the auditors to suggest that there was lack of internal checks and controls while some pay sheets were signed for without corresponding amounts written on them.