A Chaplin High School driver , Davie Maravanyika (58), has appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges after allegedly inflating the cost of a tractor part.
Prosecutors told Provincial Magistrate Ms. Dube that Maravanyika was tasked with sourcing quotations for a Weldon part for the school’s tractor. He allegedly obtained a verbal quotation of US$35 plus US$20 for fitting from Emmanuel Gaza, Managing Director of Gazaet (Pvt) Ltd. However, on January 29, he submitted a fraudulent quotation to the school, inflating the price to US$355.
When the school’s bursar contacted Gazaet (Pvt) Ltd for payment, Gaza refused to accept the money, disowning the quotation. A Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigation later revealed that the quotation was never issued by Gazaet, and its serial number did not match their official records.
Maravanyika was arrested on February 27 and appeared in court the following day, represented by Advocate Militao. He was granted US$100 bail and ordered not to interfere with state witnesses, to reside at his given address, and to report to ZACC Gweru every fortnight. His trial is set to begin on March 20.
