A Premier ServiceMedical Aid Society (PSMAS) executive and two directors of an ICT company accused of defrauding the medical aid society of US$57 000 have been granted bail by the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
PSMAS Finance Executive Director Marshall Mashavave and Minana Technologies Solutions directors Mlambo Gabaza Barnabas and Tafara Tomukudza Mafemba are facing allegations of conniving with other individuals to secure an ICT contract without following proper tender procedures.
According to the State, Minana Technologies initially approached PSMAS offering to demonstrate its software at no cost.
However, the company allegedly later secured approval for a US$50 000 proof-of-value exercise through a memorandum without the project being subjected to a tender process.
The State alleges that the scope of the exercise was subsequently expanded, resulting in the submission and payment of three invoices amounting to US$57 658.
The accused allegedly received the payments despite the company not having rendered the services covered by the invoices.
Prosecutors further allege that the trio subsequently proposed a larger ICT platform valued at US$3.75 million.
The State claims the proposed deal could have exposed PSMAS to potential prejudice exceeding US$17 million.
Mashavave, Gabaza Barnabas and Mafemba were each granted US$500 bail.
The matter has been remanded to October 12 for further proceedings.
