A truck driver disappeared with 26 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertilizer destined for Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary George Charamba's agricultural property. Sithabisile Mpofu appeared before the Mbare Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges of theft of trust property valued at $17,160. The 49-year-old Redcliff resident had arranged transportation for the chemicals from a Mt Hampden supplier to Charamba's Battlefields farm near Kwekwe. Prosecutors detailed how Charamba's personal assistant, Tsitsi Chirwa, contacted Mpofu to secure trucking services for the delivery. The defendant subsequently engaged driver Stewart Sanikwa to handle the transportation assignment.
Sanikwa collected the fertilizer shipment on July 11 from the J & J facility in Mt Hampden. Gift Nyamutowa from the president's office was scheduled to accompany the vehicle as an escort during transit. The employee arrived late at the loading site, creating an opportunity for misconduct. Sanikwa departed without supervision and vanished with the entire cargo load. Law enforcement received notification after Nyamutowa reached the destination farm and discovered the missing delivery.
The National Prosecuting Authority presented evidence that Mpofu provided incorrect registration information for the transport vehicle. Authorities continue searching for Sanikwa, who remains at large following the incident. Court officials remanded Mpofu in custody pending further legal proceedings. The case highlights security vulnerabilities in agricultural supply chain management. Charamba serves as both deputy chief cabinet secretary and presidency spokesman in the current administration.
Sanikwa collected the fertilizer shipment on July 11 from the J & J facility in Mt Hampden. Gift Nyamutowa from the president's office was scheduled to accompany the vehicle as an escort during transit. The employee arrived late at the loading site, creating an opportunity for misconduct. Sanikwa departed without supervision and vanished with the entire cargo load. Law enforcement received notification after Nyamutowa reached the destination farm and discovered the missing delivery.
The National Prosecuting Authority presented evidence that Mpofu provided incorrect registration information for the transport vehicle. Authorities continue searching for Sanikwa, who remains at large following the incident. Court officials remanded Mpofu in custody pending further legal proceedings. The case highlights security vulnerabilities in agricultural supply chain management. Charamba serves as both deputy chief cabinet secretary and presidency spokesman in the current administration.
