Harare, Zimbabwe | A 49-year-old Air Zimbabwe employee, Jacob Mutemeri, has been charged with theft after allegedly siphoning Jet A1 fuel from his employer’s Boeing 737 aircraft at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The theft reportedly took place between November 15 and 22, 2024, while the plane, known as “Mbuya Nehanda,” was parked for maintenance following a fuel leak.
Mutemeri, who works for the national carrier, was granted bail of US$150 by a Harare magistrate and is scheduled to return to court on January 23, 2025, to face further charges.
According to court documents, the Boeing 737 was carrying 6.3 tonnes of fuel when it arrived from Botswana and was parked for servicing. Instead of securing the aircraft as required, Mutemeri allegedly saw an opportunity to steal the fuel.
The theft was carried out over several nights between November 15 and November 22, 2024. Using an Air Zimbabwe Nissan Navara vehicle, Mutemeri is accused of driving to the hangar where the plane was parked, draining fuel from the aircraft, and transferring it into containers.
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Surveillance footage from the airport reportedly captured Mutemeri entering the hangar on multiple occasions, specifically on November 15, 16, and 18, during the early hours of the morning. Each time, he exited through Gate A3, which was a key point of access to the hangar.
Mutemeri’s theft was eventually discovered, leading to his arrest and subsequent court appearance. Authorities are investigating the full extent of the fuel theft, and the case has raised concerns about security at the airport and the potential implications for Air Zimbabwe’s operations.
The arrest of Mutemeri comes at a time when the national airline, Air Zimbabwe, is under increased scrutiny, and the company is working to ensure its operations and assets are secure.
The outcome of this case is expected to shed light on the integrity of procedures at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the handling of airline resources.
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