Midlands Show Society management and some of the board members have been fingered in an alleged corruption and nepotism storm that has seen the entity operate like a “tuckshop”, 263Chat can exclusively reveal.
The show society manager Victoria Chikukwa and president Pascal Muringano’s are believed to have benefitted from the alleged nepotism web and abuse of office that sources close to this publication say has seen the society being run like a “family business”.
Disgruntled stakeholders privy to inside information at the society said some Midlands Show Society board members are fast losing faith in the way the society is being run as well as its sub-committees.
Chikukwa is being accused of creating extra jobs at the society in a move well designed for her to employ her children during show times. Three of her children Sithandiwe, Zandile and Zanele have been reportedly employed to do part-time financial administration during the one week event.
“It is not a secret that her children have been getting part time employment during show times. These lucrative jobs often guarantee a steady income for the family and that of her son in laws. Her children benefit immensely during Show days, a situation created by Chikukwa herself through reckless managerial tendencies,” said the source.
Another source from the younger members of the Show Society dubbed the Next Generation, who preferred anonymity , said their committee is irritated by the ‘insensitive and self-centered’ actions that are being exhibited by the Midlands Show Management, accusing them of neglecting and overriding decisions often made by subcommittees.
“This kind of management has seen the event deteriorate to unacceptable levels. Midlands Show Society has been for the past two or so years marred by unreported cases of corruption of the highest level,” said the source.
Since taking over reigns at the society, Chikukwa uses her influence to position her relatives, not only her children but also her son in law, Tinashe Zvaraya.
Zvaraya is said to have been awarded transport tenders without following proper tender procedures.
On another cause of abuse of office, for the past years that Chikukwa has been at the helm, is being accused of awarding her daughter Sithandiwe exhibition stands free pf charge while other exhibitors pay a fortune for the stands.
Show Society president Muringani and his children have as well been alleged to be benefiting from the Chikukwa corrupt tendencies.
Among other allegations, Chikukwa is accused of illegally printing separate show ticket books which she will use for payments and convert the money for personal use, and the recent August event was cited as a typical example.
In addition to all these other allegations, Chikukwa is said to have ed the show society’s resources in assisting her children to fund raise for money she later used to buy a vehicle for her brother-in law.
However, in an effort to address nepotism, other board members and stakeholders suggested that a private handle for other jobs be contracted to do other jobs, but Chikukwa is said to have shot down the proposal.
Contacted for comment over the allegations, Mrs Chikukwa said any questions regarding the Show should be put in black and white so that they can be forwarded to the Show Society.
After being served with the written questions she only acknowledged receiving the questions saying she had forwarded them to the Show Chairman Mr Augustine Mpakurirwa.
Contacted for comment Mr Mpakurirwa refused to comment on the allegations but expressed ignorance over the issues.
“I am not aware of that and I am not willing to comment, you might want to find out from the president,” said Mpakurirwa.
Midlands Show Society Spokesperson Patrick Chademana also declined to comment and referred this publication back to the Show Society Chairman.
Efforts to contact Show president Muringani were futile.
Meanwhile, in May this year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who for years has been the patron of the Midlands Show Society has condemned corruption which saw him create an anti-corruption body within the Office of the President to be on the lookout of such cases.
