HARARE, May 5 (NewsDay Live) – A Harare regional court has acquitted Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) chairperson Rose Kambarami and her deputy Zindoga Bungu of criminal abuse of duty, citing lack of evidence.
The two, represented by Paidamoyo Brian Saurombe, were cleared after a full trial.
They had been accused of authorising the release of more than US$7 000 from council funds to cover legal fees for colleague Collen Benyure, who had been arrested on separate charges.
In her ruling, magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa said the pair acted in line with a board resolution and in good faith.
“The court finds no intention of criminal abuse. The accused acted on a board decision and are entitled to the benefit of doubt,” Gofa said, adding that State witnesses corroborated the defence’s account.
Prosecutors alleged that on March 3 this year, Kambarami and Bungu authorised payments totalling US$7 810.99 — including US$4 120 withdrawn by the finance department and US$3 690.99 reimbursed to Benyure — for legal expenses arising from his arrest on December 17 last year on perjury charges.
The State argued the payments contravened earlier council resolutions in January directing that Benyure meet his own legal costs, and were in breach of the Public Finance Management Act regulations.
However, the court found no criminal intent, noting that the board had agreed Benyure would reimburse the funds if convicted.
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In a related matter, Benyure faces allegations of improperly accessing US$200 in council funds for bail after his arrest. Prosecutors say he instructed a subordinate to facilitate the payment, which was later delivered to him at the Harare Magistrates Court.
The State maintains the money has not been repaid, in violation of public finance regulations.
