HEALTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR DENIED BAIL
THE director responsible for health planning, coordination and management of health programmes in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Portia Manangazira, who is facing four counts of criminal abuse of duty, was yesterday denied bail.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Bianca Makwande presided over the matter and ruled that no bail condition could bar her from interfering with witnesses as 28 of them were her close relatives, including her father.
“Accused is a director in the Health Ministry and she appeared before me facing four charges of criminal abuse of duty by spending money that was to be used for Covid-19 awareness.
“It is trite law that an accused person must
be released unconditionally upon arrest unless there are compelling reasons.
“The State submitted that there are compelling reasons that should stop her from being released on bail and submitted that she will attempt to intimidate witnesses, abscond trial and that she may be motivated to flee because of the seriousness of the offence.
“If released on bail, she may influence the officers who work under her and that it’s inevitable that she will interfere with her relatives,” she said.
Makwande added that reasons submitted by the State in opposing bail must be forceful and reasonable.
“Accused is still employed and works with juniors and there is likelihood of interference with them and she is also closely related to the 28 employees, who include her father.
“No bail condition can stop her with interacting with her relatives and it can’t be tracked that she’s complying. It won’t be in the interests of justice to release her on bail,” she said.
Mananganzira was ordered to return to court on March 9.
Allegations are that an allocation of US$796 675 was availed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The State alleges that between July 16 last year and January 19 this year, Mananganzira acted unlawfully and contrary to her duties as a public officer and authorised the procurement of goods and services amounting to US$280 529 without following tender procedures as prescribed by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
Mananganzira is also reported to have acted contrary to her duties by identifying 1 000 health community workers meant to be deployed throughout Zimbabwe to raise awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic amongst communities without involving provincial and district medical directors.
The said health workers were paid US$600 each for the three months they were reportedly deployed.
Preliminary investigations revealed that 28 of the recruited health workers were related to Mananganzira.
She reportedly also directed the issuance of 3 290 litres of diesel coupons to privately-owned vehicles not registered with the Health Ministry.
Ephraim Zinyandu appeared for the State.