Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) which has been in the eye of a storm following a forensic audit that exposed the rot at the institution is now under further investigations from the Special Anti Corruption Unit in Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
Zim Morning Post can exclusively reveal that Special Anti Corruption Unit in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office stepped in yesterday (Wednesday) to investigate the Zinara mess which was exposed in the audit.
Sources close to Zinara revealed that the Special Anti Corruption Unit in OPC requested Zinara to submit a copy of the forensic audit which is being investigated by parliament, petty cash receipts, contracts of companies which were awarded special projects tenders and the State Procurement board reports.
“Special Anti Corruption Unit in the OPC moved in yesterday (Wednesday) and requested documents which include internal audit report, petty cash receipts, contracts of companies and SPB reports,” revealed our source.
Despite the ongoing investigations by state institutions, the Zim Morning Post has also learnt that Zinara handpicked a private investigations firm, Willmate Private Investigators, to carry out its own investigation on alleged abuse of funds which are being raised in the internal audit.
According to sources Zinara,handpicked Willmate Private Investigators without following due process in an effort to conceal the evidence which exposes the rot at the road administrator.
“Zinara engaged Willmate Pvt investigator to look into the issues raised in the audit report but this was not done in a proper way since the company was handpicked and this is a clear move to get a favourable report from the investigator,” said the source.
Zim Morning Post is reliably informed that the Office of the President and Special Anti Corruption Unit thwarted that move and decided to step in.
Zinara will also be appearing before the parliamentary portfolio on Public Accounts on Friday 5 April 2019 responding to some of the issues being raised in the internal audit report.
They are reports which were raised that some top Zinara were trying to get in touch with members of the public accounts portfolio outside parliament business in a bid to ‘gag’ them.
“I got a call on whether I can get time and pay a courtesy call to Zinara offices,” said the source.
“I actually asked the caller why I was being invited in my individual capacity when they (Zinara) will be back in parliament on Friday.” revealed one of the MPs
Zinara public relations manager Augustine Moyo said he will comment after consultation with his superiors.
