A Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) employee and his son have appeared in court facing allegations of fraud after they allegedly submitted forged company documents to secure lucrative contracts with the State-owned power utility.
Gideon Ngwaru, who works as a revenue assurance assistant at ZETDC, and his son, Tatenda Ronnie Ngwaru, were brought before Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa this week. The two, who also serve as directors in their private company, Esol Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, were released on US$200 bail each pending trial.
According to the State, represented by prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi, the alleged fraud dates back to 2020 when the Ngwaru family registered Esol Engineering as a private company. The directorship included Gideon, his wife Roda Gindiya, and their two sons, Tatenda and Tanaka.
The company was reportedly created with the intention of supplying pre-paid electricity meters and carrying out infrastructure projects such as the construction of power lines and substations. However, because Gideon was employed by ZETDC, conflict-of-interest provisions prevented the company from qualifying for certain compliance confirmations and contracts.
Faced with this obstacle, the State alleges, Gideon and his son decided to falsify the company’s ownership records. They are accused of submitting a forged CR 14 company form to ZETDC in which Gideon’s name was removed as a director and replaced with that of Tatenda’s wife, Sandra Tinotenda Ndoro.
ZETDC Official and Son in Court Over Alleged Fraudulent Engineering Contracts
The court heard that for a company to be confirmed compliant by ZETDC, it must also produce a valid registration certificate from the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ). In 2021, Esol Engineering allegedly submitted certificate number 300345, dated 21 May 2021, which was purportedly issued by the ECZ.
On the strength of these documents, ZETDC awarded the company compliance status. This subsequently opened the door for Esol Engineering to secure contracts for the supply of pre-paid electricity meters as well as the construction of transmission lines and a sub-power station.
Investigations later revealed that the Engineering Council certificate was fake. The State alleges the fraudulent actions by Gideon and Tatenda compromised the integrity of ZETDC’s administrative processes and placed the parastatal at risk of engaging a company under false pretences.
The case has raised broader questions about transparency and governance within State-owned enterprises. As a ZETDC employee directly involved in revenue assurance, Gideon was expected to uphold the highest levels of honesty and accountability. Prosecutors argue that his decision to involve himself in a private company seeking ZETDC contracts amounted to a clear breach of trust.
Legal experts note that the case also highlights the dangers of conflicts of interest within parastatals. “When employees of State enterprises are also business owners, the temptation to manipulate procurement processes becomes very high,” one analyst said. “This is why compliance checks and independent verification of documents are critical.”
Although the accused have not yet presented their defence in detail, both men deny wrongdoing. Their lawyer is expected to argue that the contracts awarded were based on merit and that any errors in documentation were not intended to mislead. The court will examine whether the accused knowingly submitted forged documents or whether the discrepancies arose from administrative oversight.
During their initial appearance, the magistrate granted Gideon and Tatenda US$200 bail each, with conditions attached to ensure they return for trial. They were ordered not to interfere with witnesses or attempt to access ZETDC systems while the case is ongoing.
The matter has been remanded to allow the State to finalise investigations and submit forensic reports
The case has stirred debate in legal and business circles, with some arguing that it underscores the need for stricter monitoring of procurement processes within public institutions. Zimbabwe’s energy sector has long struggled with corruption scandals, tender irregularities, and delayed infrastructure projects — challenges that have contributed to persistent power shortages across the country.
Consumer advocacy groups say that fraud in the procurement chain ultimately hurts ordinary citizens, who continue to endure blackouts, high tariffs, and slow progress in expanding the electricity grid. “Every time contracts are awarded through dishonest means, it undermines service delivery,” said one civil society leader.
For now, the spotlight remains on Gideon and Tatenda Ngwaru as they prepare to face trial on fraud-related charges. If convicted, the pair could face stiff penalties, including imprisonment, as the State seeks to send a clear message that corruption within parastatals will not be tolerated.
As the case unfolds, many will be watching to see whether the judiciary can enforce accountability in a sector vital to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and whether ZETDC can strengthen its compliance systems to prevent similar scandals in the future.
Source- Heraldonline
