By Simbarashe Sithole in Bindura
There was drama at the Bindura Magistrates Courts this week when two social welfare workers and one Grain Marketing Board (GMB) worker appeared before provincial magistrate facing theft of wheat charges
Zivanai Bhunu (employed as a human resources administrator at the Department of Social Welfare, Bindura), Innocent Mundembe ( employed as a deport clerk at GMB Bindura) and Edwin Mazani (employed as a truck driver at BM transport) appeared before magistrate Tinashe Ndokera for bail application.
Prosecutor Carson Kundiona opposed bail stating that the accused persons were likely to abscond trial and interfere with witnesses.
Surprisingly Social Welfare Officer one J Matanhire testified in support of the accused persons’ bail application. He seemed to clear the accused of any wrongdoing, contrary to what his boss, Oliver Chingozha, had reported.
The gallery was left in stitches when he alleged his boss the District Social Welfare Officer had made a false and baseless report to ZACC.
“Your Worship, I personally drafted this official report after Ward 5 residence confirmed with me that they had received grain. The area being mentioned in court is not yet due to receive aid so I wonder how one can say aid was stolen. It’s all lies.”
According to state papers on August 25 the trio allegedly stole 32 tonnes of wheat which was supposed to be distributed among the vulnerable people living in Ward 5, Bindura
The case was postponed to 14 October for bail ruling.