Controversy Erupts Over Devenish’s Presence at T...

Controversy Erupts Over Devenish’s Presence at TIMB Offices

Nyashadzashe Ndoro- Chief Reporter

Patrick Devenish, the chairman of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), has found himself at the center of controversy due to his regular visits to the TIMB offices despite facing charges of criminal abuse of office. This issue has sparked concerns within the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, which has questioned the legitimacy of his continued presence at the regulator's premises.

The committee raised alarms over the potential impact on corporate governance, questioning whether his actions could undermine the board’s credibility and integrity. The committee pointed out that his frequent visits may appear inappropriate given the serious legal charges against him, especially since he's accused of dividing the board, harassing the CEO, and covering up evidence.

Devenish responded to these concerns by asserting that his bail conditions had been relaxed by the court, which he claims allows him to continue working at the TIMB offices. However, the committee remains doubtful, requesting official documentation of the relaxed conditions and a more thorough explanation of why Devenish is still present at the board’s offices.

During the parliamentary hearing, Devenish was advised against acting as if "business as usual" was happening, considering the serious legal charges hanging over his head. The committee expressed concern that his actions could tarnish the reputation of TIMB and negatively affect its corporate governance ratings.

The committee also inquired about the current status of his bail conditions, seeking formal confirmation that he had not been restricted from entering the TIMB offices until his case had been resolved. Devenish responded that the bail conditions were verbal, but he would provide the relevant documents showing his bail payment of US$500.

Despite Devenish’s explanation, both the committee and market observers continue to argue that he should refrain from visiting the TIMB offices until his legal case is concluded. The committee emphasized the potential damage that poor corporate governance could cause to an institution, warning that it could lead to issues such as poor decision-making, increased risk of fraud, loss of investor confidence, reputational damage, and operational inefficiencies—all of which could jeopardize the institution's long-term sustainability.

Devenish is currently facing two separate charges of criminal abuse of office, with a combined bail amount of US$500. The first charge involves a fraudulent US$397,739.51 loan, which Devenish allegedly facilitated in 2021 with former TIMB CEO Meanwell Gudu. The loan was issued without the knowledge of other board members or an official board resolution. The loan was intended to support the Agrarian Reform Programme, a fund established by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), TIMB, and Agribank to assist tobacco farmers during the 2020/21 growing season.

In the court proceedings, it was revealed that Devenish’s duties as a public officer included overseeing the board's strategic direction, setting governance standards, and approving contracts exceeding US$50,000 via board resolution. Gudu, on the other hand, was responsible for executing operational strategies. Devenish and Gudu are accused of misrepresenting that the loan was issued under the Tobacco Inputs Credit Scheme, which had already been suspended by the RBZ at the time.

Additionally, Devenish faced questions regarding his use of a TIMB vehicle after his personal car was involved in an accident. Devenish explained that his vehicle was damaged in a collision with a cow and that, although board members typically do not use TIMB vehicles, he had used one to attend a funeral for a fellow board member. He stated that he was unsure who authorized the use of the vehicle but had communicated the issue to the board.