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Prof Moyo,

Court Reporter

Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (zimdef) chief executive officer Fredrick Mandizvidza allegedly used the name of Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to defraud the parastatal of about $96 000. Mandizvidza (53) yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande facing criminal abuse of office charges.He was remanded to October 4 on $300 bail.

The court heard that zimdef was created in terms of Section 47 (1) of the Manpower Planning and Development Act Chapter 28:02 and Sub-section 2.

The objective of the fund is to develop skilled manpower in the country.

zimdef is a State enterprise in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development.

It is alleged that on November 11 last year, Mandizvidza connived with a ministry official, who is still at large, and allegedly created a fake document purporting that the trustee of the fund, Prof Moyo, had authorised and approved the purchase of 10 heavy-duty printers worth $95 800.

The court heard that no such authorisation was granted.

It is alleged Mandizvidza released the money to Wisebone Trading, a company that deals with Agro-Chemical and Engineering’s CABS account number.

The court heard that Mandizvidza knew that the company was not into information technologies.

No printers were supplied.

The court also heard that while zimdef has no provisions for personal loans, Mandizvidza and his accomplices processed a loan of $24 000 on October 19 last year.

zimdef lost $119 800 and nothing was recovered.