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AN Irvine’s employee appeared in court on charges of theft of chickens.
Mernad Elia, 27, who works in the company’s dispatcher section as a track loader, was released on $20 000 bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
He will be back in court on April 17 pending finalisation of the matter.
Prosecutor Grace Mugocheke said Elia connived to steal chickens with other employees, Kudzanai Williams, a driver, Tatenda Hondoyenzomba, a security guard, and another one only identified as Arthur.
It is alleged that on February 15, Elia and his workmates went to the company’s cold room and took 20 bags of nine cut piece cubes of dressed chicken, loaded the bags in a truck and drove away unnoticed.
Elia ran out of luck when one of his customers tipped off the company after suspecting foul play.
The court was told that Elia sold four bags to one Mutetwa, who then decided to tell the company about the deal.
The company then realised that it was missing some bags of chicken, leading to Elia’s arrest.
Elia then divulged how they stole from the company.
The stolen birds cost $603 940, and only $120 788 was recovered.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter