Maize deal backfires

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
THREE men who allegedly stole 30 tonnes of maize from a consignment from Zambia were arrested while coaxing Grain Marketing Board officials to fraudulently clear their loot. Masimba Magura (35), Edward Nyamayaro (44) and Canose Musape (29) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing fraud charges. The three were remanded to April 27 on $200 bail each.

Biscary Enterprises, represented by its operations director, Mr James Jerera, of 2 Kenny Road, Kensington in Harare, had a contract with Zdenakie Commodities (Pvt) Ltd based in Lusaka, Zambia, to deliver maize to Zimbabwe.

The company also had a contract to store cereals at Grain Marketing Board, Aspindale depot in Harare for drought relief. It is alleged that on March 25 this year Nyamayaro phoned GMB security officer Mr Regimond Kisi telling him that he had a consignment of maize bought by Biscary Enterprises from Zambia destined for GMB Aspindale depot for storage.

He also allegedly stated that he and his accomplices had diverted 30 tonnes of maize and wanted help to fraudulently clear the consignment.

He allegedly wanted the documents for the consignment to be date stamped. He also wanted a fictitious weigh bridge ticket reflecting that the consignment was delivered at GMB Aspindale depot.

Mr Kisi allegedly suggested that Nyamayaro come in after the Easter holiday. Mr Kisi approached Sokotec (Pvt) Ltd quality inspector Mr Erasmus Mavhunga who supervises grain purchased by Biscary Enterprises and told him of Nyamayaro’s plans.

On the same day Nyamayaro went to GMB Aspindale depot with documents relating to the consignment. Documents indicated that the consignment entered Zimbabwe on March 22 this year with truck registration number ACQ 4369 and trailer registration number ADS 9910. Nyamayaro allegedly offered $2 500 to Mr Mavhunga for the fraudulent transaction, but did not know Mavhunga was buying time while waiting for GMB officials who had gone to alert the police.

Mr Mavhunga stamped the documents and instructed Nyamayaro to bring the money.

Later that day the three brought the money to Mavhunga and were immediately arrested leading police to Zindoga Shopping Centre, Waterfalls where a truck containing 30 tonnes of maize was parked.