SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU- Three Zanu PF members together with two social welfare workers and a truck driver have been arrested for allegedly stealing 373 bags of wheat that was meant for drought relief in Chiwundura.
The stolen food aid with a total value of US$11.190 was part of government’s initiative to alleviate food shortages in the country’s drought stricken regions.
The accused persons include Maureen Choto (43) who works as a Child Protection Officer in Gweru and Charles Chanhuhwa (28), a former graduate intern at the Department of Social Development.
They are alleged to have connived with Zanu-PF Chiwundura Ward 10 Councillor Sonny Chitarata, Zanu PF Ward 10 Youth Chairperson Janet Chinyama, Lillian Magwai and Nqobile Mpofu a truck driver to divert and sell the wheat for personal gain.
According to investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the theft happened on 03 December, last year in Chiwundura.
It is alleged that, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) dispatched 1978, 50kg bags of wheat to the district’s social welfare department for distribution to vulnerable households in Ward 10 Chiwundura.
The grain which was transported by seven trucks was received by Choto who was leading the social welfare team.
Instead of dispatching the whole consignment, Choto, Chanhuhwa and Chitarata allegedly stole 373 bags of wheat.
Further investigations revealed that only 1 605 bags were distributed to beneficiaries, while the remainder was siphoned and sold to hungry villagers.
It is alleged that Chanhuhwa instructed the offloading team to leave 50 bags in Mpofu’s truck for transportation back to Gweru.
Mpofu is said to have raised concerns that 50 bags would cause suspicion and advised the group to offload 40 bags which were sold to local villagers while the remaining 10 were ferried to Gweru.
It is further alleged that Chitarata, Chinyama, Mpofu and Magwai were actively involved in the selling of other bags that evening after the trucks had departed.
In total, 363 bags of wheat were diverted during the same night and were sold to desperate villagers.
The accused persons were arrested separately after an operation.
Chinyama, Chitarata, Magwai and Mpofu were arrested on January 24, 2025 while Choto and Chanhuhwa were apprehended on February 4 ,2025.
The six accused persons appeared before Gweru Provincial Magistrate Beaulity Dube who remanded them out of custody on bail.
Each accused person was ordered to pay US$100 bail and was ordered not to interfere with state witnesses and continue residing at their given addresses.
They will appear in court on 20 February, 2025 for continuation of trial.
