Catholic priest accused of abusing mission funds

Zim Now Writer

A Catholic priest based at Matibi Mission in Masvingo has been accused of diverting funds from the church and the mission hospital for personal use.

Health workers at the Catholic-run hospital have claimed that the priest-in-charge, Father Maxwell Mabvuure, has refused to account for the money.

They also accused him of interfering with the hospital workflow in order to access donor funds and results-based funds that is meant for rural clinics.

The RBF programme is supported through the Transition Fund and Health Development Fund by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

“There is no transparency from church donations to RBF funds and people have been complaining about how priest Mabvuure is interfering with hospital workflows to divert funds to his personal use,” one of the senior health workers said.

“At one point, he was using a hospital ambulance (for personal business) before it was branded.”

Mabvuure has denied the charges of abusing church resources.

“I cannot disclose figures that were received from donors, but the RBF funds come through channels and those funds never pass through my hands. There are people responsible for that,” he said.

“This is not a government hospital. It’s owned by the Roman Catholic Church, so as a priest, I am just in charge just like any other priest at a Catholic mission school or hospital. I have my car which I use and I don’t see the reason why I should use hospital resources for my personal benefit.”