Workers steal from ex-Governor

FORMER Manicaland Provincial Governor, Cde Tinaye Chigudu last month lost an electric water pump at his farm after two employees allegedly connived with two accomplices to steal the machine, which is valued at $50 000.

Maidstone Farm manager Nyasha Nyakuromba, security guard Kenneth Magombo, Tendai Nyapenz of Vahala Farm and a teacher, Rangarirai Muzenda, appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Gift Manyika last week and were not asked to plead.

Rusape lawyer, Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates represented the quartet and successfully applied for their release from remand on $1 000 bail each.

Mr Manyika adjourned the matter to June 8. Public prosecutor, Mr Benoni Makuvire told the court that detectives arrested Muzenda, who then led to the recovery of the pump and implicated the other three accused persons.

“Sometime in May, the accused persons hatched a plan to steal an electric motor pump from Maidstone Farm pump house. During the night of May 10, the accused persons hired a motor vehicle and proceeded to Maidstone Farm. They used a pliers to cut a gate fence of the pump house to gain entry. While inside, they untied the blue 75-horse power Relmo electric motor from its stand, loaded it into their vehicle and Muzenda drove away with it.

“The theft was discovered the following day and a report was made to the police. On May 21, detectives received a tip-off, thereby leading to Muzenda’s arrest,” said Mr Makuvire.