Zvikomborero Parafini
COTTON Company of Zimbabwe’s former Mutoko depot area manager, Zinhle Ndlovu, appeared in court yesterday accused of stealing Presidential Input Scheme inputs worth US$42 000.
Ndlovu was the custodian of the Presidential inputs at the depot and she allegedly connived with Praise Makombore, who is the former business manager for the same depot ,to steal the inputs.
Makombore has already been charged for the same offence.
The plan was for them to purport to have received instructions to order the release of fertiliser for distribution to farmers.
It is alleged that on August 23 last year, Ndlovu instructed Moses Chibanda, a Field Assistant at Kotwa, to release 1170 50 kg bags of Compound L fertilizer from Mutawatawa Transit depot.
She gave them the impression she had received the instructions from Praise Makombore. The fertiliser was then collected by two trucks without completing the necessary documentation.
The trucks proceeded to a warehouse close to Murehwa Business Centre where Makombore’s vehicle then collected it on different occasions to unknown destinations.
COTTCO lost fertilizer worth US$42 120 and nothing was recovered.
Ndlovu appeared before regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
She was released on US$200 bail and ordered her not to interfere with witnesses until the matter is resolved. Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State while Stephen Chikotora appeared on behalf of Ndlovu.
