Bakery employees steal 10k bags of maize
TWO employees of Central Bakers and Millers and their accomplice allegedly stole 10 335 bags each containing 50kg of maize from their employer.
Edwin Mwale (41), Tapera Zhuwau (46) and Kudakwashe Murehwa (46) yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi facing theft charges and were remanded in custody pending their bail application today.
They are being represented by lawyer Mr Killian Mandiki.
The complainant is Central Bakers and Millers being represented by Nelson Tom who is employed as a security officer.
Mwale’s duties at the company were to acknowledge every delivery of maize and Murehwa was employed as a foreman whose duties among others were to supervise employees and to take custody of the maize delivered.
Central Bakers and Millers owns a farm in Kadoma which mainly focuses on the production of maize which is then transported to Central Bakers and Millers through Netombo Transport Logistics Company where Zhuwau works.
Upon the delivery of this maize, it is then stored in a warehouse under the custody and supervision of Mwale and Murehwa.
Prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi alleged that between May and July last year, the two employees stole 9 735 bags that were in their custody and used their own transport to remove the maize.
The offence then came to light when a company stock take discovered the bags had been stolen. The total value of the stolen property is US$ 163 061 and nothing was recovered.
On the other charge, Zhuwau (46) and Mwale in July last year allegedly defrauded Central Bakers by diverting a truck carrying 600 bags loaded on Zhuwau’s truck, a Freightliner.
To cover up the offence, Mwale then misrepresented to his employer by sending a message on their WhatsApp company official group purporting to have received the maize load.
As a result, the complainant suffered an actual prejudice of US$10 050 and nothing was recovered.