By Victor Fanuel
HWANGE – Two Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) officials in Hwange have been arrested over the theft of equipment worth US$3.8 million.
Tawanda Mhaka and Ruth Chiyani were hauled before the courts and remanded to September 26.
A third suspect, Hardlife Zimwenje, remains on the run.
The pair allegedly siphoned off 15 electric motors, 48 tonnes of brass pipes and a container.
CCTV footage from the Turbine Hall shows a truck loading the loot on August 22 and 23 without clearance.
Chiyani, a Loss Control Assistant, allegedly authorised the removal without proper paperwork.
Mhaka, a Stores Officer, is accused of directing a boilermaker to cut up the equipment for easier loading onto hired trucks arranged by Zimwenje.
Investigators say they have CCTV recordings and signed removal papers as evidence.
“This case serves as a clear example of the accountability required of those entrusted with national assets.
“Economic sabotage will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will face serious consequences,” the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) warned.
On an unrelated matter the Grain Marketing Board’s (GMB) supply chain manager, Obert Safuli Zhoya, has been jailed for attempting to offload state fertilizer at a giveaway price.
Zhoya, 58, tried to sell 599 bags of Compound D Superfert meant for a farmer swap scheme to Madamara Investments for US$600, far below the US$19,168 market value.
He allegedly ordered staff to issue a fake receipt and process the money into GMB accounts, claiming the fertilizer was “written-off.”
The scam collapsed after a depot manager discovered the stock was still in perfect condition.
Zhoya was handed 24 months in prison, with 12 suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve a year behind bars.
