Tinotenda Hove – Vice Chairperson of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, Dr. Zindoga Tizirai Bungu, has found himself in legal trouble after being accused of misappropriating council funds to pay for another official’s legal fees.

Bungu appeared before regional magistrate Mr. Donald Ndirowei facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

He was granted US$200 bail and ordered not to report to his workplace or interfere with witnesses. He has not yet entered a plea.

The allegations stem from events that began on December 17, 2024, when the council’s registrar, Colin Benyure, was arrested by the CID’s Commercial Crimes Division and charged with perjury in his personal capacity. Following his arrest, a decision was made to cover his legal costs using council funds.

According to the State, on March 3, 2025, Bungu and the council’s chairperson, Dr. Rose Kambarami, agreed to pay Benyure’s legal expenses using public money. A day later, on March 4, the council’s finance department processed two payments — US$4,120 and US$3,690.99 — to reimburse Benyure.

However, prosecutors say this decision went against resolutions made at two earlier council meetings held on January 9 and January 15, where it had been agreed that Benyure would cover his own legal fees, based on advice from the council’s lawyers.

The State further alleges that the payments violated the Public Finance Management Act Regulations and amounted to an abuse of public office for the benefit of a colleague.

In a separate incident, Benyure is accused of misusing council funds to pay his own US$200 bail. After his arrest, he allegedly instructed administrator Filistas Chari to obtain the amount from council funds. The money was reportedly handed over by finance staff to one Tendai Chinyama, who delivered it to the court on Benyure’s behalf.

The council later resolved that Benyure must repay the US$200 and fund his own legal defence. To date, however, no reimbursement has been made, the court heard.

Prosecutors argue that the conduct of Bungu and his co-accused was not only inconsistent with their duties as public officers but also in direct violation of financial governance regulations.