Scandal rocks Kadoma Show Society

TICHAONA KATSVAMUTIMA

The Kadoma Show Society has been rocked by a scandal amid allegations of embezzlement of funds, Business Times can report.

The scandal is said to have been exposed after the Society’s chairman, Patson Madera allegedly tried to  defraud the society  by hiring two Harare-based police officers  who masqueraded as advance security personnel for Harare South legislator Tongai Mnangagwa.

It is alleged that Madera introduced the two police officers—Pardon Chinyanganya, Simbarashe Maenzanise—as advance team from the President’s Office.

Kadoma Show Society treasurer, Lucky Munyai, said a report has since been made to the police.

According to documents seen by Business Times a complaint was raised against Madera at Kadoma Central Police Station, CR number 117/10/21 and the case was later referred to CID Kadoma RRB 4888023.

“Madera instructed me as the treasurer to book accommodation for (Pardon) Chinyanganya , (Simbarashe) Maenzanise and two others who would come later.

The two, according to the documents, were later introduced to the other members of the executive.

Munyai alleges that Chinyanganya and Maenzanise kept pestering him on his mobile number.

“Chinyanganya became furious and angry. He cautioned me that I must not waste his time or else he would deal with me,” Munyai said.

However, the cat was let out of the bag after Trust Chikosha, who is connected to Tongai Mnangagwa, phoned him, inquiring about Chinyanganya and Maenzanise.

However, according to the documents, Mnangagwa denied having sent the two and their associates as his advance security.

Munyai alleged that Chinyanganya indicated to him that he wanted to make a plan to loot the money that would be collected on the following day of the show.

“He went on to assure me not to get worried as he had made all the necessary arrangements with Madera,” he said.

However, upon confronted, Chinyanganya and Maenzanise and associates confessed that they were not members of the CIO, as they had claimed before.

They said that they were members of ZRP working in Harare and confessed that they had been hired by Madera.

“On the other hand, Madera confessed that he was the one who had hired Chinyanganya and his associates,” Munyai alleged.

“I went on to report the case at Kadoma Central Police Station,  where I was given the RRB no 4888023.”

He added:” I was informed that the case was now transferred to CID Kadoma and was given reference CR117/10/21.”

Contacted for a comment, Madera denied the allegations saying they were being done by disgruntled members who were expelled from executive and wanted to tarnish his image.

He said the “so-called executive” was a collection of people who are not in office for the Show Society.

“They do not represent Kadoma Show Society and are not recognised as such. It is surprising that they purport to raise these issues when they’re a deposed executive committee. The one whose name is mentioned in the  document is Luckson Munyai, our former treasurer. He was expelled from that position on September 17 last year,” he said.

“The reasons behind his expulsion were his failure to present financial records for three consecutive years that he had been in office. Add to that, he also failed to table audited society financials at that September 17, 2021 AGM. Life members decided to relieve him of his duties citing incompetence. Why bring the matter to light now after such a long time. It’s unreasonable because he’s just trying to tarnish my image.”

National Agricultural Show President Godfrey Mavhankeni said  the society was seized with the matter.

“Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa- Chikoka, has tasked us to conduct investigations on the issues and we are calling both parties to get to the bottom of the matter,” Mavhankeni said.

Munyai also alleged that Madera convened an AGM without the approval of the executive.

Before the current squabbles a committee led by Tobias Chodeva had clung onto office after its term had long expired, prompting the courts of law to decide on the matter.

The court’s decision ushered in the Madera-led executive.