By A Correspondent

Liniah Chinoda, the Provincial Finance Director for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has been taken to court for allegedly claiming $600 in travel and subsistence allowances for a trip she never made.

The funds in question were part of the Better Schools Programme Fund, which is comprised of contributions from schools across the district through the Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ).

Chinoda, who is responsible for overseeing the effective use of the Ministry’s financial resources within the province, allegedly submitted incomplete information on her travel and subsistence claims form.

This action is contrary to her duties, which include ensuring that accounting policies are followed and financial records are accurate and complete.

The court heard that Chinoda conspired with Evershine Ndongwe, the District Schools Inspector for Chivi, to force Chivi district accountant Tapiwa Mapindani to include her claim in the funds being withdrawn for participants of the Chivi Accounts Verification exercise.
Mapindani was allegedly suspended for resisting the payment.

Chinoda appeared before Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi on Friday, facing charges of abuse of duty.

She was remanded out of custody until March 19 and is represented by Yolander Chandata of H Tafa and Associates.

The investigation, conducted by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), revealed that Chinoda was attending activities in Bikita, Gutu, and Zaka at the time of the exercise she claimed payment for, which was held in Chivi.