adminThupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A FORMER Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited worker has been arrested for allegedly fraudulently importing milk worth R118,000 from South Africa.
Mike Dongo, whose age was not given in court, of Whitecliff, Snake Park in Harare, allegedly used his employer’s import permits to facilitate the importation of dairy products for Intrepid Foods, a Harare company.
He ran out of luck when two truck drivers who were carrying the consignment delivered it to Dairibord Zimbabwe premises in Harare instead of Intrepid Foods.
The trucks were intercepted after workers at the company said they did not know about the consignment.
Dongo pleaded not guilty to fraud when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Godswill Mavenge. He was remanded to April 20 on $200 bail pending trial.
Prosecuting, Pernson Chekeya told the court that Dongo once worked in the exports section at Dairibord.
He said on October 30 last year, Dongo applied for and obtained four import permits from the ministries of Agriculture and Economic Planning for the importation of milk.
Dongo applied for four more import permits from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary services.
Chekeya said on December 25, Dongo connived with one Muneyi Nyoni, who is still at large, to fraudulently import goods on behalf of Intrepid Foods using Dairibord permits.
He said the duo imported milk worth R118,000 from South Africa through the Beitbridge border post.
The court heard the issue came to light when truck drivers inadvertently took the milk to Dairibord.
Workers, who had no knowledge of the consignment, alerted their superiors who then informed the police resulting in both trucks being intercepted as they were about to leave the premises.
Investigations led to Dongo’s arrest.
Online Reporter