AFRICA ZIMBAGWE 7 CHITUNGWIZA COUNCIL BAR MEMBERS ARRRESTED OVER COMPUTER THEFT http://allafrica.com/stories/200606130397.html

June 12, 2006Posted to the web June 13, 2006
Freeman RazembaHarare

Seven Chitungwiza Municipality bar managers were at the weekend arrested on suspicion of breaking into an audit office and stealing a computer, audit books and other records to frustrate ongoing investigations into the disappearance of millions of dollars from council beerhalls.

The break-in came after an internal audit revealed that more than $400 million could have been siphoned from council coffers by some managers. It had been established that there were huge shortfalls at two of the council liquor outlets totalling over $400 million.

Police said the stolen computer, stock sheets, a diary belonging to the internal auditor, audit books and some crucial records had information on the audit findings. Officer in-charge of St Mary's Police Station Inspector Paradzai Madombwe confirmed the arrests.

He could not shed more light on the matter fearing to prejudice investigations. The Herald understands the seven managers were picked up for questioning and taken to St Mary's Police Station on Friday.

Last Thursday night, the suspects reportedly broke windowpanes and doors to gain entry into the audit office and stole the audit books, a computer and some records. Their main aim, police said, was to destroy the evidence of the audit. Chitungwiza Municipality 's acting chamber secretary Mr Joseph Muneri yesterday also confirmed the incident and said the managers were assisting police with investigations.

"The audit office was broken into and we lost a computer, stock sheets and a diary belonging to the internal auditor. All these had information about the audit which had been carried out." "The audit was carried out following some shortfalls at two of our liquor outlets," said Mr Muneri.

He said after discovering the shortfalls, the council wanted to investigate and take action against the culprits but the audit office was broken into and the documents stolen. Nothing had been recovered as of yesterday and the suspects will appear in court once investigations are complete.