A court in Harare has processed theft charges against Sithabisile Mpofu, a 49-year-old entrepreneur from Kwekwe, for allegedly stealing 26 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. The stolen goods belonged to Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba, who serves in the Office of the President and Cabinet. Magistrate Ruth Moyo granted Mpofu bail at US$400 without requiring her to enter a plea. The defendant must surrender travel documents, report weekly to CID Southerton police station, and avoid contact with witnesses. Mpofu cannot interfere with the ongoing investigation under her release terms.
Prosecutors detailed how Mpofu established a trust arrangement with Charamba on July 10 through his assistant Tsitsi Chirwa. The agreement specified transportation of fertiliser from J & J Company at Windmill to Charamba's Elephant Hills Farm near Kwekwe. Mpofu supplied a truck and trailer the following day, driven by Stewart Sanikwa, who remains at large. Gift Nyamutowa was designated to escort the shipment but arrived after the vehicle had departed. The driver exploited Nyamutowa's delayed arrival and vanished with the entire consignment.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Mpofu failed to complete the delivery as contracted. Nyamutowa discovered the missing fertiliser upon reaching the farm and immediately contacted police. Authorities valued the stolen ammonium nitrate at US$17,000 and have recovered nothing from the theft. The case demonstrates how trust agreements can facilitate criminal activity when proper oversight fails.
Prosecutors detailed how Mpofu established a trust arrangement with Charamba on July 10 through his assistant Tsitsi Chirwa. The agreement specified transportation of fertiliser from J & J Company at Windmill to Charamba's Elephant Hills Farm near Kwekwe. Mpofu supplied a truck and trailer the following day, driven by Stewart Sanikwa, who remains at large. Gift Nyamutowa was designated to escort the shipment but arrived after the vehicle had departed. The driver exploited Nyamutowa's delayed arrival and vanished with the entire consignment.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Mpofu failed to complete the delivery as contracted. Nyamutowa discovered the missing fertiliser upon reaching the farm and immediately contacted police. Authorities valued the stolen ammonium nitrate at US$17,000 and have recovered nothing from the theft. The case demonstrates how trust agreements can facilitate criminal activity when proper oversight fails.
