Harare, Zimbabwe – A dramatic case of alleged theft unfolded at the Mbare Magistrates Court on Monday, revealing that a truck driver absconded with a substantial consignment of ammonium nitrate fertiliser destined for Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary and presidential spokesman George Charamba’s Battlefields farm.
These details emerged as Sithabisile Mpofu, 49, appeared in court, facing charges of theft of trust property in connection with the incident.
Mpofu, a resident of Simbi Park in Redcliff, was allegedly approached by Charamba’s personal assistant, Tsitsi Chirwa. The request was to secure a truck for the transportation of 26 tonnes of fertiliser, valued at an estimated US$17,160, from J & J in Mt Hampden, Harare, to the farm located near Kwekwe.
The court heard that Mpofu subsequently hired a truck driver identified as Stewart Sanikwa. Sanikwa reportedly collected the fertiliser on July 11.
Initial arrangements included Gift Nyamutowa, an employee from the President’s Office, accompanying the truck to Battlefields. However, Nyamutowa’s delayed arrival at the loading point proved pivotal.
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“The truck driver, who remains at large, took advantage of the complainant (Nyamutowa)’s absence and drove the truck from the loading point without escort, disappearing with the entire load,” stated the National Prosecuting Authority.
Upon Nyamutowa’s eventual arrival at the farm, he discovered the fertiliser had not reached its intended destination, prompting a police report.
Prosecutors have further accused Mpofu of providing false registration details for the truck used in the alleged theft.
Mpofu has been remanded in custody as investigations continue.
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