OPEN RESERVE An economist from the Bank of Zimbabwe who was found guilty of disclosing a secret document on the dedollarization of the economy to unauthorized individuals was sentenced to 240 hours of community service.
Following its public publication by the prisoner Philton Makena, the document quickly became popular on social media.
After a thorough trial, Makena was found guilty by regional magistrate Noel Mupeyiwa, who also cleared Smart Manda, who was co-appearing.
The two were accused of violating the RBZ Act Chapter 22:15’s Section 60 (1), which calls for “maintenance of secret by bank workers.”
Makena was given a 13-month prison term, with six of those months suspended if he doesn’t commit a similar crime within the next five years.
For the remaining seven months, 240 hours of unpaid labour at Queensdale Primary School were substituted.
According to the State, the RBZ governor, Dr. John Mangudya, instructed John Mafararikwa, director of economic policy and research, to work on a document titled “De-dollarization roadmap” sometime in March of last year.
Over a five-year period, it would aid the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development with dedollarizing the economy.
Mafararikwa tasked a group of chief economists, led by Nebson Mupunga, to come up with ideas and draft the document. The group also included Samuel Tarinda, Getrude Machingura, Nicholas Masiyandima, Edmore Jaya, Douglas Mugwambi, Paul Mukoki, Tawanda Mubvuma, Manda, and Tongai Tarubona.
Manda received the paperwork from Mupunga on April 15 via the email address of his central bank, which is connected to his Gmail account.
The court was informed that he changed it into a portable document format as soon as he received it.
Manda allegedly forwarded the document to Makena, an RBZ employee but not a member of the team, through WhatsApp.
Making use of WhatsApp, Makena sent the document to his cousin Bongani Zimuto, who in turn sent it to Wonder Madyambudzi, a business development executive at Zimnat Life Insurance, who was Makena’s supervisor.
On a variety of social media sites, it gained popularity. The State was represented by Oscar Madhume.
