Chiredzi Cottco manager, Gukwe in custody for US$11K theft, US$100k corruption
IVAYINERUDO MAGARAZANO
CHIREDZI- Cottco Business Unit Manager, lnnocent Gukwe (35) appeared on Thursday at the Chiredzi Regional Court facing 2 counts of alleged theft and corruption, he was remanded in custody to Friday for bail ruling.
He was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday.
It is the state case that in January 2024 Gukwe allegedly instructed Brighton Muza a truck driver of Mugugu Transport Company to collect 300×50kg of Compound L fertilizer from Cottco Kadoma Depot.
On 11 January 2024 Cottco Kadoma depot transferred 300×50kg compound L fertiliser to Chiredzi Cottco Business Unit under internal movement of fixed items document P1209C reference number 88404.
Muza collected the fertiliser but did not deliver them to Chiredzi Cottco but diverted them to an unknown place.
On 22 January 2024 Gukwe again allegedly instructed Muza to transfer 300×50kg Compound L under the internal movement of fixed items document P1209C reference number 8804 claiming that the fertiliser were delivered at Ngundu transit depot.
Chiredzi Business Unit store’s person Lawrence Chiriri queried why the document for the fertiliser that were on 11 January 2024 was presented on 21 January 2024 but the driver argued that he had been busy transporting other loads.
On the same date Gukwe allegedly instructed Chiriri to confirm receipt of the fertiliser and to backdate the date to 12 January 2024 and he complied, investigations shows that the fertiliser were never delivered at Chiredzi Business Unit neither were they delivered at Ngundu transit depot.
The value of the fertiliser is valued at US$10 500.
On the second count Gukwe in 2022 allegedly hatched a plan to siphon money from Cottco Holdings through facilitating his own truck to have a contract with Cottco to get favorable routes and better payments than others.
This allegedly led to Gukwe purchasing 2 trucks and registering them under Regis Chivaura with vehicle registration number AFS2424 and AFU4824.
Using his influence as a manager he ensured that the trucks got frequent transportation engagements at the depot and would facilitate prompt payments.
Gukwe benefited US$122 421.47 from the transportation contract.
Rita Chakauya from Muzenda and Chitsama Legal Practitioners, Prince Ganyani from Ganyani Law firm and Charles Vhudzi of Vhudzi and associates law firm are representing Gukwe.
