Zinara clerks, contractor tech override boom syste...

Zinara clerks, contractor tech override boom system to steal US$150k at Shamva tollgate

Michael Mashiri

Four people who defrauded Zimbabwe National Roads Administration US$150 000, through stealing from the Shamva Tollgate have been remanded in custody

Patson Tavengwa, 54, of Southlea Park, Nyaradzo Gusha, 36, a Zinara senior revenue clerk, of Fidelity Life Park Manresa, and Flavian Kundishora, 47, of New Mabvuku, Southlea Park and Tanaka Theresa Magaisa, 33, of Tamworth Houghton Park who are also employed by Zinara Shamva Tollgate as revenue clerks, appeared before magistrate Taurai Manuwere facing fraud and money laundering charges.

The complainant in this matter is Zinara being represented by Tawanda Marenga, who is its risk and loss control manager.

The State, through prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that on July 19, 2023, the quartet connived to steal from Shamva Tollgate and Tavengwa, who is employed by 10-10 Technologies Private Limited as a field technician basing on his expertise, illegally installed a booms override system.

The installation would bypass the normal operating system and it would allow them to collectively receive money from motoring public, claiming that the funds had been channelled to Zinara yet in actual fact converting the money to their own use.

On July 20, 2023, the Zinara risk and loss control department discovered this through a CCTV footage, prompting them to report the matter to the police.

On July 26, 2023, a team from CID Commercial Crimes, Northern Region went to 10-10 Technologies Private Limited who are system providers of Zinara and they confirmed that they had not authorised the installation of the boom override system at Shamva Tollgate or at any tollgate which is under their control.

During the course of investigations, Transaction Detail Tolling Reports with accused’s personal operating credentials indicated that the accused were on duty at the scene of crime during the material time were secured.

The investigations by the police led to the arrest of the accused persons.

As a result Zinara was prejudiced US$150 000 and by the four and nothing was recovered.

Manuwere set the bail application of the four to today.