Zvikomborero Parafini
THREE people were remanded in custody after allegedly attempting to defraud the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) by using a fake requisition voucher to purchase medicines worth US$10 000.
Karamayi Mondoka, Kudakwashe Mupa and Gift Mondoka were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday.
The court heard that on November 10, Mupa and Mondoka went to Natpharm with a hospital requisition and issue voucher dated November 8, purported to have originated from Mt Darwin District Hospital.
They tendered their requisition to the dispatch department and their order was processed.
The order was processed and 1 008 cycles, 10 cartons of levenorgestrol 150mg and Ethinylestradiol 30mg tabs, Two 100×100 cartons of Paracetamol 500mg pills and 120 cartons of 10×100 latex examination gloves.
However, dispatch supervisor, Nixon Cosmas Zvandasara, became suspicious of the transaction and verified the order with the Mt Darwin Pharmacy manager, who denied ever sending anyone to collect an order for the hospital.
Police were called in and the three were arrested.
Mupa was taken to his workplace at Charter and Zumbo Road where a search was conducted and further illegal drugs were recovered.
Detectives seized 36×250 Isoflurane 100% manufactured in Egypt which is not registered in Zimbabwe.