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Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A 49-year-old Air Zimbabwe employee stationed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has appeared in court on allegations of draining Jet A1 fuel from his employer’s plane while it was awaiting service.
Jacob Mutemeri was facing theft charges when he appeared before a Harare magistrate, who granted him US$150 bail and he will be back in court on January 23, 2025.
It is the State’s case that on November 8, 2024. an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737 Z-WPA “Mbuya Nehanda” arrived from Botswana and was reported to have a leak and also required service. It was parked at the Air Zimbabwe Engine Run Section awaiting maintenance. The plane had 6.3 tonnes of fuel.
Having noted the defects on the plane Mutemeri hatched a plan to steal Jet Al Fuel from it.
Mutemeri started draining fuel from the plane every night from November 15 to 22, 2024.
The court heard that on November 15, 2024, he drove an Air Zimbabwe Nissan Navara Single Cab Silver in colour and was seen arriving at the hangar where the plane was parked.
He allegedly disembarked from the vehicle and started draining fuel from the plane using containers.
It is the State’s case that he left the Air Zimbabwe complex and drove through the air side towards Gate A3 which is situated in the eastern direction of the airport.
It is alleged that he used the same modus operandi using the same vehicle on November 16 and left using the same route.
The court heard that on November 18, 2024, he entered at 3.30 am and left at 4.29 am using the same route.
The offence came to light on November 22 during the servicing of the reported leak that is when it was noted that the fuel from the plane was stolen and a report was made leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter