By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Linia Chinoda, Director of Finance Administration and Human Resources at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) in Masvingo Province, has been arraigned before the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court for misusing public funds.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Chinoda submitted fraudulent traveling and subsistence allowance claim forms for USD600 on January 20, 2024, despite not participating in the Chivi District Accounts Verification Exercise held between October 1 and 10, 2023.
It is alleged that Chinoda pressured the District Accountant to include her claim, resulting in the unauthorized payment of USD600. Along with the District Schools Inspector, Chinoda used intimidation and threats to coerce the District Accountant into processing the payment. When the Accountant resisted, he was suspended.
Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed that Chinoda was not present during the verification exercise and instead attended activities in other districts. Her actions violated the Public Finance Management Act, which mandates transparent and lawful use of public resources.
The schools under MOPSE in Chivi District suffered a financial loss of USD600, which remains unrecovered. The matter has been remanded to March 19, 2025, for further proceedings.