Mpilo concerned over ‘improper’ director, supplier relationship
regina moyo

Director of operations, Duduza Regina Moyo

Temba Dube Deputy News Editor
THE Mpilo Central Hospital Board has expressed concern over an “improper” relationship between a supplier at the institution and the director of operations Duduza Regina Moyo.Bulawayo businessman Ashton Mpofu, the supplier, has sued Moyo to recover $130,000 that he says he used to build a house for her.

The lawsuit has raised eyebrows with Bulawayo residents questioning how someone who gets lucrative tenders from the hospital would enter into such a deal with a person responsible for awarding tenders.

Yesterday Mpilo Central Hospital Board chairperson, Sichelesile Moyo Ncube said the issue was worrying.

“As a board, we are concerned about the issue. However, I can’t say much because the issue of corruption at Mpilo is now being dealt with by a higher office,” she said.

The board ordered a forensic investigation into tender procedures at the health institution in February after Mpofu alleged a $3 million tender he had been awarded was cancelled because he refused to pay a bribe to Moyo and chief executive officer, Lawrence Mantiziba.

Moyo inadvertently drew scrutiny to tender procedures when she wrote to Mantiziba on February 12 asking for a bodyguard.

She alleged Mpofu had threatened her following the cancellation of the $3 million tender.

In the lawsuit, Mpofu alleges Moyo breached a verbal agreement reached in 2010 to pay for the construction of her house on completion in January this year.

Mpofu says he completed the house without getting a cent from Moyo.

He told the Bulawayo High Court that Moyo had made several promises to pay him, which she has failed to honour.

The businessman is claiming interest on the $130,000 and the cost of the suit at attorney client scale.

Alternatively, he is seeking an order to sell the house and recover his costs if Moyo fails to pay.

Last month, Mpofu filed a $1 million lawsuit against Moyo accusing her of lying that she received death threats from him after his contract was cancelled.

The hospital board acting on the results of the forensic report, has recommended to the Ministry of Health and Child Care that Moyo, Mantiziba and finance director Charles Govo be suspended while a full scale audit is being carried out.

Moyo, according to report, manipulated tender procedures thereby prejudicing the hospital of millions of dollars.

Mantiziba allegedly failed to put in a place a system to prevent tender fraud at the hospital.

Govo on the other hand, allegedly paid suppliers who had no tax clearance, certificates of incorporation or lists of directors.

State Procurement board regulations state that a supplier without any one of the requirements should be disqualified from bidding for tenders.

Auditors recommended that Moyo and Govo should be reported to the police for fraud.

Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa could not be reached for comment.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Gerald Gwinji was unreachable on his mobile phone.

 

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