GMB officials arrested for theft

Agricultural Inputs Scheme.
Police on Wednesday said the five stole 43x50kg of fertilizer and 86x10kg of maize seed at the GMB Concession Depot.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri confirmed the arrest of Kelvin Marimo of Agritex and Simbarashe Sanida, Rutendo Nguruvhe, Enerst Rashamira and Fidelis Gaza of GMB.
He said Marimo, an Agritex officer in Mazowe compiled a false list of 43 farmers who were supposed to benefit under the presidential scheme.

Agritex officers are assigned to compile lists of disadvantaged farmers they work with for them to get assistance under the scheme.

“The 43 farmers were said to be from Mapere Farm in Mvurwi,” Supt Phiri.
“The false list was taken to the depot assistant manager identified as Givemore who signed for the processing of the inputs. The list went through other offices for approval.”

Supt Phiri said after completing the paper work, Marimo collected the inputs.
“He collected 43x50kgs of fertiliser and 86x10kgs of maize which he shared with the other four accused persons,” he said.

Supt Phiri said the depot loss control manager, who was acting on a tip-off discovered the offence.
“The stolen inputs were recovered and the five are expected to appear in court charged with fraud,” he said.

Supt Phiri urged public office bearers to exercise transparency in discharging their duties.
“You can commit an offence, but the law will catch up with you. People should live honestly when discharging their duties,” he said.

President Robert Mugabe this month unveiled a US$20 million farming inputs package for the 2012/13 agricultural season that is set to benefit over 800 000 vulnerable households countrywide.

The inputs included seed, fertilizers, pesticides, dipping chemicals and other livestock supplements.
The first scheme would see farmers receiving a 10kg bag of seed maize and a 25kg bag of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, while the second package consist of 10kg planting cotton seed and 25kg of AN.

This is the third time that President Mugabe has sourced farming inputs for disadvantaged farmers to assist them achieve food security at household level.

Meanwhile, four other GMB officers, based in Mutasa district, Manicaland will appear in court on allegations of stealing grain meant for distribution to hunger-hit villagers under the grain loan scheme.

Gibson Marowa (49) and Joseph Chirodza (34) who are employed as assistant managers were arrested together with Selina Chiro (36) and Oliver Nduke (36) who are also employed as supervisor and sales clerk respectively at the GMB Mutasa district depot.

Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Enock Chishiri said that the quartet allegedly stole the grain on November 12.

Insp Chishiri said the allegations arose from an incident in which the quartet doctored a list of beneficiaries who were set to receive the maize and added fictitious names.
Police received a tip off and recovered a total of 15x50kg bags of the stolen maize.