adminAngeline Mpofu Chronicle Reporter
TWO Binga men who drained 80 litres of diesel from their employer’s trucks wept in court begging to retain their jobs. Zephania Mugande, 26, and John Munkomene, 23, appeared before Bulawayo Western Commonage magistrate Temba Chimiso charged with theft after draining diesel from their employer Mark Russells’ trucks.
The duo stunned the gallery when they begged Russell to save their jobs.
“We are sorry that we stole the fuel. Please forgive us and we promise that we will not commit the crime again. I am desperate because I came from Binga to work and earn a living, I have nowhere to go,” said Munkomene.
Mugande said he stole the fuel to sell and buy food since he was hungry.
“Please forgive us. We only stole the diesel to buy food since we were hungry,” he said.
Munkomene also begged the magistrate to grant them community service.
“We can’t afford a fine so we pray that the court grants us community service and that our employer may employ us again,” he said.
Russell ignored their plea and invited the arm of the law to punish the two.
“I don’t think that I can employ them back because I can’t trust them again,” he said.
Prosecuting, Ruvimbo Chanduru said the two drained 80 litres of diesel from Russell’s trucks between December 1 and March 22 this year.
The vehicles were parked at Russell’s Rangemore plot.
Chanduru said the matter came to light when Russell met Mugande riding a bicycle carrying a satchel on his back.
“He stopped him and opened his satchel only to discover that he was carrying a container with five litres of diesel. He asked him where he got the fuel and Mugande admitted he had drained it from one of his trucks parked in his yard,” she said.
The matter was reported to the police who arrested Mugande.
“He implicated Munkomene in the crime and admitted that they were responsible for the mysterious disappearance of the diesel since December last year,” said Chanduru.
The trial continues.
Online Reporter