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STEALING crates and empty bottles worth over $69 000 landed two Mutare Bottling Company employees in trouble after being arrested in connection with the offence. Clemence Chinduru (26) and William Kufa (49) who were employed as Rusape Depot clerks appeared in court on Monday facing charges of theft as defined under Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) At, Chapter 9.23.
Chinduru is represented by Mr Taurai Khupe of Khupe Law Chambers, while Kufa is represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Ndlovu and Gonese Practitioners.
The two were not asked to plead when they appeared before provincial magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi who granted them $200 bail each.
Public prosecutor, Mr Tafara Chawatama told the court that Chinduru and Kufa stole 8 103 crates consisting of 300ml empty bottles, 527 crates of 1l bottles and 89 PVC cases from the depot’s warehouse. The two were exposed after an internal audit fingered them.
“During the period extending from October 26, 2015 to December 26, 2015, the accused persons who were employed as depot clerks at Coca-Cola Rusape received 13 377 crates consisting of 300ml empty bottles, 1l empty bottles and PVC cases from delivery trucks and signed for them. They thereafter placed them in the depot warehouse which is tightly secured by them.
“The accused persons then connived and stole 8 103 crates of 300ml empty bottles of soft drinks, 572 crates of 1l empty bottles and 89 PVC cases from that warehouse. The offence came to light when audit was carried out and the two were subsequently arrested.
“Copies of Load Sheets signed by the accused persons indicated that they had received the crates of empty bottles.
“There is no indication that the warehouse was broken. Value of the property stolen is $69 685 and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Chawatama.
Mrs Hanzi postponed the matter to March 21 for trial.
Online Reporter