Zimbabwe health regulator boss Colin Benyure faces abuse of duty charges
HARARE – Colin Benyure, the Acting Registrar of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ), appeared before Magistrate Donald Ndirowei at the Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday last week, facing charges of Criminal Abuse of Duty as a Public Officer.
The charge falls under Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
According to court documents seen by Nehanda Radio, the complainant in the case is the State. Benyure, 58, is alleged to have abused his position as a public officer.
As Acting Registrar of a statutory body, his duties include monitoring compliance, managing financial affairs, providing ethical leadership, and adhering to legal guidelines, including those outlined in the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
The charges stem from an incident on December 17, 2024, when Benyure was arrested by CID CCD officers and appeared before the National Prosecuting Authority at Harare Magistrates Court in a case of perjury. He was granted bail of US$200.00.
It is alleged that Benyure then instructed his subordinate, Filistas Chari, the Administrator at MDPCZ, to provide him with US$200 from Council funds to pay his bail.
This directive was reportedly forwarded to the Finance office, where Tendai Nyakuengama and Shongedzai Nyarota facilitated the release of the funds to Tendai Chinyama, who delivered the money to Benyure at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Benyure subsequently used these Council funds to post his bail.
The court heard that these funds were taken from Council coffers without the knowledge or approval of the Council and in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act Regulations.
During Council meetings held on January 9 and 15, 2025, the MDPCZ Council reportedly noted that Benyure had instructed staff to pay his bail without seeking proper authority.
The Council resolved that Benyure should reimburse the US$200. But he failed to do so leading to his latest arrest.
The accused was placed on remand and admitted to bail on conditions that he deposited US$200 through the Clerk of Court, reside at the given address, not to interfere with witnesses, report once at ZACC on Fridays, and not to visit MDPCZ offices until the matter is finalised.
Efforts to get a comment from ZACC were fruitless.
However, Nehanda Radio understands that Benyure is likely to face a more serious matter, linked to his continued presence in the council registrar position despite the expiration of the board that appointed him.
