adminA CROP procurement officer with Cottco has been slapped with a 18-month jail term by a Nyanga magistrate after he was found guilty of stealing 300 bags of fertiliser from his employer worth $12 000.
Ngonidzashe Dzivike pleaded guilty to stealing the compound L fertiliser when he appeared before Mr Ignatio Mhene.
However, six months of the sentence were set aside on condition that he does commit a similar offence in the next three years, while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he pays back the $12 000.
It was the State’s case led by public prosecutor Mr Zivanai Goredema that theft was committed in November last year.
“The duties of the accused, among other things, were to dispatch cotton inputs to registered farmers.
“On November 21, 2013, the accused collected 300 x 50kg bags compound L fertiliser from Nyamaropa cottco depot and took them to Nyamombe to loan the inputs to registered farmers.
“The following day the accused collected other 200 x 50kg bags from Nyamaropa headed for Nyamombe.
“Instead of delivering the 200 bags in Nyamombe, he loaded 100 bags in another truck he had hired. The driver of the truck was instructed by the accused to take 300 bags to Harare and sell them on his behalf.”
The fertiliser was sold in Mbare.
Online Reporter