VP Chiwenga fires NatPharm board over COVID-19 materials scandal
The Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga dismisses the National Pharmaceuticals Company (NatPharm) board officials. The Principal Director of NatPharm Gibson Mhlanga is in hot soup over a COVID-19 tender scam.
Health Ministry acting Permanent Secretary Robert Mudyiranyama issued the letters of dismissal to Billy Rigava, Northburga Harunavamwe Chifamba, Johnstone Shonhe, Rachel Cibaya and Gerald Gore. This happens when Zimbabwe is battling the second wave of COVID-19 which has proved to be more fatal.
Former NatPharm acting managing director Zealous Nyabadza lost his Job on January 6, 2021. It is suspected that Nyabadza is the conspirator of the COVID-19 materials scandal. On the other hand, Gibson Mhlanga was dismissed because of the tender he pushed the granting of to a company he has interests in.
VP Chiwenga fires NatPharm board over COVID-19 materials scandal
The Zimbabwe Independent reports that after the tender scandal blew off in 2020 Air Commodore Gibson Dumba took over. Later that year interviews for the organization’s CEO post were held but the results to the interview are still pending. Gibson Dumba who looks most likely to be successful and hold the position of CEO at NatPharm does not have any medical background fit to run such an entity.
The Drama worsens when Gibson Dumba fires Nyabadza without a clear reason. Nyabadza was further embarrassed when he was forced out of the organization empty handed. The COVID-19 materials scandals have been an issue since 2020 and this resulted in the former Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo being fired. Just a few days back the same Obadiah Moyo was arrested because his health institution was issuing out fake COVID-19 certificates. This makes it very clear that the health sector has been occupied by people with bogus intentions hence the bold move by the current Health Minister to dissolve NatPharm.