A truck driver is on the run after vanishing with a full load of fertiliser meant for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman and top government official, George Charamba.
The brazen theft was laid bare in the Mbare Magistrates Court on Monday, where Sithabisile Mpofu, 49, appeared on charges of theft of trust property in connection with the crime.
Mpofu, from Simbi Park in Redcliff, had allegedly been contacted by Charamba’s personal assistant to organise transport for 26 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser valued at US$17,160 (R307,000.00). The load was collected from logistics company J & J in Mt Hampden and was supposed to be delivered to Charamba’s farm in Battlefields, near Kwekwe.
Prosecutors say Mpofu then hired a truck driver identified as Stewart Sanikwa to do the job. According to court testimony, a government employee named Gift Nyamutowa was assigned to accompany the load but arrived late at the loading point.
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Seizing the opportunity, the driver reportedly took off with the cargo before Nyamutowa could arrive.
“When the escort arrived, the truck and driver were already gone,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement. The fertiliser never reached its destination, prompting a police report.
To make matters worse, Mpofu is accused of supplying fake registration details for the truck involved.
The driver, Sanikwa, remains at large, while Mpofu has been remanded in custody as investigations continue.
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