Willowgate Scandal implicated minister Frederick Shava, colleague narrowly avoid jail over diverted Welfare Fund ​

HARARE — Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Hon Frederick Shava, a figure no stranger to high-level legal scandal following his alleged role in the notorious Willowgate corruption affair and Public Service Minister Edgar Moyo have narrowly escaped imprisonment after a last-minute repayment of over ZiG 200,000 in diverted public funds. Shava’s infamous prior brush with the law saw him convicted of perjury during the late 1980s car-resale racket that rocked the government and tragically led to the suicide of minister Maurice Nyagumbo. Decades after being pardoned in that scandal, Shava finds himself back in the spotlight for financial impropriety alongside Moyo, with both ministers rushing to repay the money and secure Treasury approval after facing a contempt-of-court threat.

​The legal proceedings were spearheaded by former St Mary’s constituency legislator Marvelous Kumalo, who filed an initial application at the Harare High Court on September 24, 2024. Represented by Sherrif Takaendesa and Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Kumalo argued that the ministers violated both the Constitution and the Public Finance Management (Treasury Instructions) of 2019. ​The unauthorised borrowings took place over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023 and were exposed in the 2023Auditor-General’s Report.

The diverted money was taken directly from critical social safety nets, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Fund, the Child Welfare Fund, the Older Persons Fund, the Industrial Training and Trade Testing Fund and the Skilled Manpower Trade Testing and Certification Fund. Kumalo contended that siphoning resources intended for underprivileged children, elderly citizens and trade trainees without prior Treasury clearance violated Section 298(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees transparency and accountability in public finance management. Nigel PfundeNigel Pfunde is a Zimbabwean journalist and news editor based in Harare.

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He is known for his work with Express Mail Zimbabwe and has also served as News Editor at Zim Morning Post. With a background in investigative and political reporting, Pfunde has covered a wide range of topics including fraud cases, government affairs, economic issues, and community outreach. His writing reflects a strong commitment to accountability and public interest journalism.

Nigel Pfunde is a Zimbabwean journalist and news editor based in Harare. previous postCompetition watchdog investigates Mega Market bid for 100% stake in Lobels Competition watchdog investigates Mega Market bid for 100% stake in Lobels

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