The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has reportedly questioned several directors at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development over alleged fraudulent activities linked to Mbudzi Traffic Interchange project funds.
According to Zimbabwe Independent, the officials were quizzed by ZACC after whistle-blowers leaked details linking them to the “pillage” of a fund meant to compensate owners of companies and houses who were moved to pave the way for the construction of the traffic interchange.
More officials from the Ministry are expected to be questioned by ZACC in the coming weeks.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works officials and bosses at two of Zimbabwe’s leading real estate agencies, which made valuations of the affected properties are reportedly set to be quizzed in the ongoing investigations as well.
The Zimbabwe Independent could not establish the extent of the alleged fraud, but it reported sources as saying those involved manipulated figures to inflate the value of properties, which would end with property owners and corrupt officials sharing looted funds. Said a source:
ZACC summoned some directors amid allegations that some owners of properties at the Mbudzi Interchange had their properties overvalued.
The memorandum (containing overvalued properties) was reportedly signed by (a senior official in the ministry whose name was given to the Independent).