Driver steals employer’s tractor, sells it

A PENHALONGA driver who allegedly stole a Massey Ferguson tractor from his employer and sold it to a local farmer, has been remanded in custody.

Nunurai Zindoga Chikwinya denied the theft charges when he appeared in court last Thursday.

He was charged for contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law and Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9: 23.

Mutare magistrate, Miss Perseverance Makala presided over the matter.

Mr Matthew Chimutunga prosecuted.

Allegations were that sometime in February last year, Maparura parked his unregistered tractor, a Massey Ferguson 375E at Dansen Nursery in Penhalonga since the vehicle had developed a mechanical fault.

The suspect who was employed by the complainant as a tractor driver went behind his employer’s back and started looking for buyers for the tractor.

“On April 6, 2017, he told Zvikomborero Jangano that he was selling the tractor which he said was his for $500. Jangano bought the tractor and paid a deposit of $200, promising to pay the remaining $300 in installments.

The tractor was towed from Dansen Nursery,” said Mr Chimutunga.

The complainant was later informed that his tractor had been towed away to Jangano’s homestead.

He went with Phiri to Jangano’s homestead and found his property there.

“Jangano told the complainant he had bought the tractor from suspect and went on to produce the Agreement of Sale that had been drafted between him and the accused person. A police report was made, leading to the arrest of Chikwinya,” he said.

He was remanded in custody to May 12 for trial.