Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
The Road Motor Services (PVT) Limited (RMS), a subsidiary of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), has been plagued by the cannibalization of vehicles, leading to widespread looting.
This selling of assets wasno t limited to the Bulawayo headquarters, locates along 13th Avenue Extension, but occurred across various depots nationwide, including Mutare, Hwange, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Hwange, and Chiredzi.
Assets Sold
- Trailers
- Containers
- Horses (sometimes full)
- Fuel tankers
These assets, some still serviceable, were allegedly sold to Mashoko Maduviko whose Identity Document reads, 18-058116-L-07 with given address as 524 Gazaland Complex Harare.
The Disposal Process
The standard disposal process involves:
- Identification: A disposal committee identifies assets for disposal due to cost-cutting reasons.
- Salvage: Usable spares are removed from listed assets.
- Managing Director’s Approval: The list is forwarded to the MD.
- Board Approval: The MD seeks authority from the board of directors.
- Verification: Board members may visit RMS or take the MD’s word.
- Written Approval: The board approves disposal through written communication.
- Ministry Approval: The approved list is sent to the Ministry of Transport.
- Bidding: Bidders are called, and the highest bidder is identified.
Changes Under Acting MD Mahachi
Workers claim that when Aron Mahachi took over in January 2024, the process changed. Bernard Sibanda, former Chief Security Officer, stated that previous MD Matende followed procedures.
“The last authorization to dispose of assets was last year January… That’s the last authorization.”
Pressured to reveal more, Bernard Sibanda said that all the money that was realized from the sale of scrap were channeled into the company bank accounts.”
Sibanda claimed that he is not aware of any authorization of scrap that emanated from board, but Mahachi would tell them that he was given the ho ahead by NRZ MD.
Financial Irregularities
Accounts clerk Magayisa noted that company transactions were previously handled through the Finance office but changed under Mahachi. Mahachi claimed that payments into RMS bank accounts were stopped due to garnish orders from Zimra and NSSA. However, Magayisa questioned why the money wasn’t passed through banks, which would have decreased garnish orders.
Discrepancies in Sales
Magayisa confirmed that the money received from selling ‘scrap’ didn’t match the tonnage sold.
“It doesn’t balance… The money is too little but the assets are too much. Every worker knows that too much assets left the RMS, and if we tell them that we only reciepted US$30 0000, they will not believe us.”
On the issue of tankers, Mahachi previously claimed that he moved two of the four that were in Harare to Masvingo.
Workers refute Mahachi’s claim that two fuel tankers were moved to Masvingo, stating they were sold as is.
“I think he should have moved them elsewhere because they are not in Masvingo.” Bernard Sibanda refuted.
“I went to Masvingo for monitoring, there are no tankers in Masvingo. I have proof of that with me here.”
The chairman of the worker’s committee, Manziyo (not the buyer) concured with Sibanda saying,
The two tankers are not in Masvingo, they were sold as they were, they were not cut”.
In January, when Mahachi took over the reigns at RMS, workers claim, he found several horses that were on their wheels with malfunctioning engines, and some with no engines.
There has been fresh allegations of misappropriation of funds that are supposed to come from three hired tippers in Chiredzi.
Workers say these tippers were hired to ferry lithium ore but the money is not being channeled into the company.
The situation raises concerns about the financial mismanagement and disposal of RMS assets.
In our next and last episode, we will talk to Acting MD Aron Mahachi so that he gives his side of the story.
We have contacted the former MD Matende who has agrees to share his own experience of what transpired at RMS during his tenure.
We also will bring into spotlight, Caleb Manziyo, who seem to be the one who was working with Mahachi on the sale of these assets.
At the publication of this second article Bernard Sibanda, the Chief Security Officer, had been suspended from his duties pending a disciplinary hearing.
His crime; for exposing the rot that was eradicated assets at RMS.
Zim GBC News©2024