In a significant development related to the Mbudzi interchange corruption scandal, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has apprehended Enerst Shenje, the deputy director of the Road Services Division at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Shenje stands accused of fraudulently obtaining US$1 million by falsely claiming compensation for a property affected by the construction of the roundabout. He is scheduled to appear in court today.
The arrest follows a series of exposés by the Zimbabwe Independent, which shed light on illicit activities surrounding the multi-million-dollar traffic interchange project. Zacc has confirmed Shenje’s arrest, while his alleged accomplice, Levy Idana, is reportedly evading capture.
According to Zacc’s statement, the allegations revolve around a fraudulent claim for US$1,003,417.00 in compensation for a property impacted by the construction of the Mbudzi roundabout, situated at the junction of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza, and High Glen Roads. The accused, in collaboration with Levy Idana, who remains at large, and certain lawyers, fabricated a fraudulent sales agreement, falsely asserting that Idana was the owner of Subdivision A of Subdivision B of Delft of Hopely, which was registered under the name of John Maloney.
Utilizing this counterfeit sales agreement, they sought compensation by deceitfully representing that Idana had purchased the property from John Maloney. The accused then colluded with other officials from the ministry to facilitate the processing of the fraudulent claim. Consequently, Idana received a payment of US$200,000.
It has been disclosed that Zacc is currently investigating several officials from the Ministry of Transport in connection with allegations of corruption and fraud pertaining to the Mbudzi traffic circle project.
