Fake letters land PSC official in the dock

A PUBLIC Service Commission (PSC) official yesterday appeared in court accused of fraud after he added 31 unapproved names of teachers to a reappointment letter to indefinite contracts.

He reportedly intercepted the letter from the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

PSC deputy manager, corporate strategy and salaries administrator, Bright Tembo (32), appeared before Harare magistrate, Mr Elijah Makomo, charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

The motive for committing the crime was not disclosed in court.

He was remanded to April 29 on $50 bail.

His bail conditions include reporting every Friday at CID Frauds, not to interfere with State witnesses and to reside at the given address.

The complainant in the matter is the PSC represented by its general manager, human resources and operations.

The court heard that Tembo’s duties included drawing up monthly PSC establishment structures and monitoring the establishments.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that between October last year and February this year Tembo connived with four others who have already appeared in court to commit the crime.

Tembo allegedly took advantage of his position and intercepted letters of authority for conversion from contract to indefinite conditions of service.

The letters were originated by the PSC’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Pretty Sunguro.

After intercepting the letters Tembo allegedly scanned and manipulated them by adding names of undeserving teachers.

He then sent the letters to the con- cerned ministry for processing, the court heard.

Unknowingly, acting on the scam, the ministry would in turn send the letters to the provincial education directors for actioning.

It is alleged that Tembo added 31 unapproved applicants on the letters.

The offence came to light on March 3 this year when a performance audit and inspectorate agency in Manicaland received an anonymous letter.

The letter alleged a high rate of corruption and nepotism at Chipinge education human resource personnel and district education officer in recruiting teachers.

Also mentioned in the letter were illegal, unfair and corrupt replacements of reappointed teachers and fake conversion letters by an Education Ministry official, Mrs Charity Chitsenga.

Investigations unearthed the scam leading to the arrest of Tembo.