Top ZMC Bosses Fired in Explosive $150,000 Fuel Theft Scandal
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has dismissed its executive secretary, Godwin Phiri, and principal director Academy Bvumayi Chinamhora, after an investigation that exposed a massive fuel theft ring at the media regulator.
According to NewsHub, the high-level expulsions followed marathon disciplinary hearings overseen by a top-tier tribunal.
The proceedings were triggered by three successive audits an internal probe, a verification review, and finally an independent forensic audit by a private consultant all of which pointed to deep-rooted corruption within the commission.
The external audit revealed an elaborate web of deceit involving missing fuel coupons, falsified transactions, and glaring control lapses, resulting in the disappearance of nearly 80,000 litres of fuel valued at over US$150,000 supplied by Petrotrade between January 2023 and August 2024.
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The special report has since been forwarded to the Auditor General’s Office, the police, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Office of the President and Cabinet, signaling possible criminal prosecution.
ZMC commissioners recommended that all implicated officials including senior managers and support staff face disciplinary action, leading to the dismissal of the two top executives.
Outgoing ZMC chairperson Ruby Magosvongwe would not confirm the firings directly but admitted disciplinary measures were underway.
“I would just say that there are disciplinary measures that are in process,” Magosvongwe said.
Despite her cautious response, investigations revealed that Phiri and Chinamhora had already stopped reporting for duty, even as they allegedly held on to commission assets such as vehicles and mobile phones.
Sources say the duo is resisting the disciplinary tribunal’s findings, allegedly shielded by two senior government officials and a handful of commissioners who themselves reportedly benefited from ZMC fuel coupons during the 2023 elections.
When contacted, Chinamhora angrily dismissed the reports, saying:
“There is no disciplinary process that was done,” he said before abruptly ending the call.
Efforts to reach Phiri were unsuccessful.
Court records show Phiri is already facing charges alongside several accomplices, including Tafadzwa Chikwiti (former chief accountant), Mercy Hondo (administration manager), and Revai Madire (administration officer).
The group last appeared before a Harare magistrate on 28 April, with the case set to return on 20 November for trial allocation.
Others named in the audits include Petros Dhokwani, a former senior accountant, and Roma Tawanda Hlomai, once a ZMC driver both accused of participating in the fuel theft scheme.
Phiri assumed office as ZMC’s chief executive in January 2023, coinciding with the period the thefts allegedly began.
He had succeeded Chinamhora, who was acting after the departure of Dr. Tafataona Mahoso in March 2022.
According to the leaked audit report circulating within judicial circles, Phiri, as executive secretary, was the accounting officer responsible for safeguarding public resources under the Public Finance Management Act, while Chinamhora was supposed to exercise oversight and accountability duties both men allegedly failed to uphold.
