Liniah Chinoda, the Provincial Finance Director for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has been hauled to court for allegedly claiming US$600 in travel and subsistence allowances for a trip she never attended.
The money in question was sourced from the Better Schools Programme Fund, which is supported by contributions from schools in the district under the Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ).
Chivi District Education accountant, Tapiwa Mapindani, was allegedly suspended after resisting efforts to process Chinoda’s allowance claim, which was found to be fraudulent.
Chinoda appeared before Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi on Friday, facing charges of abuse of duty. She is represented by Yolander Chandata from H Tafa and Associates. Chinoda was remanded out of custody and is expected to return to court on March 19.
According to the State, Chinoda was engaged in activities in Bikita, Gutu, and Zaka when the event for which she claimed the travel allowance was conducted in Chivi. The fraudulent claim was uncovered through an investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
On January 20, 2024, Chinoda, who is responsible for overseeing financial administration within the province, allegedly violated her duties. She failed to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records and submitted incomplete information on her travel and subsistence claims form.
Chinoda allegedly handed her US$600 claim form to Evershine Ndongwe, the District Schools Inspector for Chivi, who then pressured Mapindani to include it in the funds being withdrawn for the Chivi Accounts Verification exercise. The verification, held in October 2023, was intended to verify accounts of those who had attended, not for individuals like Chinoda who had not participated.
The accused was not entitled to the allowances, as she was not involved in the verification exercise, according to the State’s account. Despite this, the district accountant authorized a withdrawal of US$5,290 from the Chivi BSPZ bank account, part of which was allocated to Chinoda’s unsubstantiated travel and subsistence claim.
Chinoda and Ndongwe allegedly used intimidation and threats against Mapindani, pressuring him to approve the unauthorized claim. Mapindani was allegedly threatened with termination and subsequently suspended for refusing to process the claim, which had no basis.
The case highlights serious concerns of abuse of authority and financial mismanagement within the Ministry, with further investigations ongoing.
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