Episode 17: Pitfalls of an Auditor: Officer Kabhunara gets the ball rolling

“I caught the bastard red handed yah, you remember that time when I left your office? I hatched a plan, a stitch in time, umhu, what with my more than five years in the police. He did not know that all of that experience was accumulated here in Harare. Promise and his gang had underestimated that acumen. I struck them unawares. I don’t think they have ever encountered such a pursuit.” Officer Kabhunara swallowed satisfactorily as he narrated his story to Zodzo. It was clear he wanted to show him that he had ‘single handedly’ recovered his money. He was so ecstatic that he felt like explaining every minute detail. From the look on his face, Zodzo could read that the story was being salted and peppered.

Zodzo knew that Officer Kabhunara was good with words, they had called him Orator or Owner of Words. They had also called him Chinua Achebe. The only nickname Kabhunara never wanted to be called with, was Dambudzo Marechera. Officer Kabhunara had argued that Marechera was in a class of his own and was insanely erudite. So Zodzo, listened to Kabhunara’s story with a pinch of salt. He had been skeptical from the start about the ‘investigation’ and his alleged acumen. Kabhunara had forgotten two things. Firstly he had told Zodzo that he came from a police department which was despised by everyone else and was not into investigations. Secondly he had also told him that he had given Tiger money as a second option to the CCU Department’s.

Zodzo had wondered whether his friend would ever stop mentioning his police background in his conversations. The police to Kabhunara had become some sort of a barometer. Everything was measured along police standards, no wonder why Mrs. Mawandadzungu had rebuffed him and had vehemently refused to be put in a straitjacket.

After Officer Kabhunara had given Tiger five dollars, for” airtime”, Tiger became a thorn in the flesh for him. Kabhunara had not anticipated to lose more money in pursuing Promise. However, a few days afterwards, Tiger had phoned Kabhunara claiming that he had spotted Promise at Fantasyland. It was a hot spot for Harare conmen, thieves and harlots. Tiger had said he was hot on Promise’s heels. Kabhunara excitedly parted ways with ten United States Dollars and gave it to Tiger saying that it was for a ‘drink’. He was however disappointed when Tiger told him that Promise had said he had not recovered the remaining two hundred and fifty dollars from his accomplices. Tiger again, after a few days, ‘borrowed’ twenty dollars from Kabhunara. He had promised to return it soon after their civil service pay day. Nonetheless, after the payday he had become slippery and was giving all kinds of excuses to Kabhunara.

Therefore Kabhunara had complained bitterly, “Zodzo I think this Tiger is fleecing me”

“Just shut him off. Block him from your phone.” Zodzo had advised Officer Kabhunara.

Zodzo might have been right all, for the recovery of the stolen money, was Godly, according to Kabhunara, but some people would consider it coincidental. However in Kabhunara’s life there was nothing coincidental. First it was Wezhira who had given him the lead, by disclosing the fraudster’s name and then Tembo who had referred him to Skara. Lastly Jevas, his friend at the Supreme Audit Institution had been there as a witness. Jevas’ presence had cemented Kabhunara’s narrative.

Tiger had not been involved in any of this but was claiming the big chunk. He was like a hyena.

“This Tiger man has the opportunistic prowess of a hyena.” Zodzo had said laughing insolently.

“These police officers are like that,” he continued, “they dip from both ends. It won’t be surprising that he is doing the same to the criminal. Just stick to Cst. Muchenagumbo’s word before this tiger tears you off.”

“Of all the advices that you have given me before, I think this one is the best. Let me just dump this Tiger. I will phone him today and tell him straight that you told me that he is double dipping. I will…” Kabhunara said emphatically

“No, no not that way, what would you want to achieve by that, just ignore his calls and stick to pressing Muchenagumbo.” Zodzo responded.

Tiger may have been lying, besides Officer Kabhunara had no opportunity to prove that the money he had given him for air time had been utilized for the very purpose. From the brief interaction he had with him, Officer Kabhunara had noticed that Tiger abused alcohol and tobacco. His appetite for beer was insatiable. Kabhunara was now regretting ever meeting Tiger.

“So have you settled now Officer Kabhunara?” Zodzo seemed to have pulled the question from right under his belt. Kabhunara was disappointed by Zodzo’s sudden change of story. He had wanted to finish his story on Promise and his gang. He however realized that Zodzo was no longer interested, so he reluctantly replied,

“Oh yes definitely, it’s just that I had lost direction due to this bastard Promise, imagine he comes from Mabvuku. To make matters worse I even lost the keys to my new office, but I think Mr. Mule from the stores will assist me with a new set. Like I said in the meeting, I will have to start with systems documentation. I…” Zodzo interjected him before he finished

“Systems documentation??”

“Yes, what’s wrong with that, have you already forgotten it. I remember systems documentation was like fodder to you at the Supreme Audit Institution. I cannot do anything without fully understanding this organization.”

“Yes I know but I don’t think the Board will wait for your systems documentation and besides the Entrepreneurial Institution is not a complicated organization. My advice would be for you to go to the Middle Land Branch first, it’s urgent. The Minister has been breathing fire on Mr. Mivictim. There have been stories at that branch. We cannot afford to delay now that we have the whole of Police Headquarters here.” Zodzo said laughing

“Yes I understand, but first things first Zodzo. I am different from you, you got the advantage of having been here for a year. As for me I have just started, therefore I do not want a false start. It has been hectic due to this bhoshi thing, but it’s now water under the bridge. I also understand the urgency of the matter but I have to get information about the systems, processes and internal controls.” Kabhunara said so as he left Zodzo’s office

Officer Kabhunara had been frustrated by the apparent disregard of audit procedures by his ally Zodzo. Zodzo seemed unconcerned by the correct way of doing things. Whereas Kabhunara wanted to prove himself to the Acting Director General and the rest of the Entrepreneurial Institution, everyone else wanted the Middle Land Branch culprits nipped in the bud. The situation was made worse by Zodzo’s casual attitude. Kabhunara was disturbed by it but felt weak to tell Zodzo off due to his heavy influence in his recruitment. Like everyone else at the EI Zodzo seemed more excited in catching thieves at the Middle Land Branch than following Audit protocols. What troubled Kabhunara was the fact that his friend Zodzo had descended too fast from the high he had reached at the cauldron of systems, that is, the Supreme Audit Institution. A year had barely passed since Zodzo left the SAI to stoop so low. The SAI had been a bedrock for training auditors. It had also been the hunting ground for state enterprises in their country.

He, Kabhunara, had taken every opportunity to learn the ropes as much as he could. He had been trying to master a certain rule book at the Supreme Audit Institution. The rule book was called the AFROSAI-E Manual (African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions- English). It had been derived from the INTOSAI which was like the mother of all SAIs at global level.

Officer Kabhunara had worked on creating several folders for working papers from Pre-planning stage in auditing, Audit Execution to post-reporting. He had forced himself to like the process although auditing language was a little boring.

The manual was meant for SAIs and that meant it was limited to government institutions but it was very comprehensive by any standards. The creation of the folders had been the cause for his clash with Mrs. Mawandadzungu. Initially all his fellow auditors had not understood what he was doing. However by the time he left the Supreme Audit Institution, every department was in possession of the working papers folder he had created. No-one at the institution had acknowledged and appreciated him for that task. He felt proud of his work though, without bothering anyone for recognition. He also knew that someone would later lay claim to his work, especially the lazy people in the SAI training department.

When the dust had settled, Officer Kabhunara found himself going through the SAI working papers folder. He had not surrendered it when he left. In fact when he left the SAI there had not been any proper exit. He just left without any farewell. The only person he had informed was Cynthia. By referring to SAI working papers, he was trying to find a propeller into his new job. What made life difficult for him was that there was no-one to take over duty from. The Audit department he had assumed responsibility of, had appeared abandoned. The previous incumbent had left in a huff. When he asked about what happened, he could only get murky information about him. He had been told by Mr. Mivictim that, he had been unceremoniously discharged after he abused money. The money, Kabhunara learnt had been for annual subscriptions with the Institute of Internal Auditors. The story had been that he was given cash amounting to six hundred United States dollars but had diverted it to personal use. The IIA then made a follow up on the money through the Director General’s office. Kabhunara was stunned by that revelation. He could not fathom the idea of a whole auditor, who was supposed to be the custodian of integrity being caught on the wrong side.

“Yes his name was Sinyoro, he was a nutty case that one. The major challenge for him was his unforgiving spirit. He had been allegedly demoted to that department by the previous Director General (DG). They did not see eye to eye you see” Zodzo had told him

“Why?” Officer Kabhunara asked

“Auditing is not a good field, you know, at one point he had been a powerful person in the Finance Department. He was the Finance Manager but something terrible occurred and he was laterally transferred to audit. He was not your typical auditor. When he went to audit he kind of became ruthless, and had this avenging spirit in him. He threatened everyone with expulsion, he even stepped on the DG’s toes imagine. So when he diverted the money he had been given, the DG did not think twice.”

“So why did you recommend it for me then if it’s not a good field?” Kabhunara asked

“You have unique experience Kabhunara. I liked the way you worked at the SAI. Besides how else were you going to exit from the civil service? Sometimes you have to learn to appreciate.” Zodzo said so without elaborating further.

Officer Kabhunara did not argue further, he knew Zodzo had told him the truth. The civil service was a rigid organization when it came to salaries and working conditions. In addition audit had trailed him like a shadow soon after his graduation. First he had been assigned to the internal audit function at Police General Headquarters, later he left for the Supreme Audit Institution.

It was when Officer Kabhunara was going through the scattered papers in the audit office that he came across a letter of apology by Sinyoro. He had desperately tried to ask for forgiveness from the previous Director General but it was to no avail.

The Audit Office was situated under the basement of the EI House. Officer Kabhunara did not like the office from first day. It was a makeshift room which had been constructed from security wall panels. Although they had put some windows, there was no direct sunlight into the room. When there were power cuts the whole room became pitch black and he had to temporarily leave the office.

Each time Officer Kabhunara entered that office he remembered Govan Mbeki. Govan’s story played itself over and over in his head whenever he looked at the ever lit fluorescent lamp above him. Govan Mbeki, the father of the former South African President, Thabo Mbeki had been incarcerated together with Nelson Mandela at Robben Island. History had it that for a significant part of his jail term at the infamous gaol the light in his cell was never switched off. It is said for years after he left prison, Govan could not sleep in a dark room. 

“I am not Govan Mbeki” he had told himself.

After a week or so he complained to Zodzo. Mule the Administration Manager had tried to justify and convince him to like it. Kabhunara could not have any of it.

“It’s an insult, you see. It looks like a cell. Besides why would the audit office be like that?” he had asked

“I am surprised, do you know that Sinyoro your predecessor never complained about it? In fact it suited him well. No-one could monitor his movements. Besides many girls frequented his office. He was a man of women, that office...” Mule said so laughing awkwardly.

“Just find somewhere suitable.” Kabhunara said as he did not find anything fun in Mule’s last sentiments.