Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A Harare man has appeared in court facing theft of trust property charges after he allegedly stole 700 tonnes of maize that was supposed to be delivered to the National Foods Harare depot.
Sherpherd Tererai (48), who is being represented by Lloyd Ndoro, appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Mr Donald Ndirowei.
The complainant is Cyprus Trucking, being represented by Wesley Thompson. The court heard that sometime in November 2025, Tererai was subcontracted to transport maize from South Africa to Zimbabwe by Northwest Bulk Transporters, a South African company.
Tererai then sub-contracted Ndlovu Grains Private Limited, a Zimbabwean-registered company whose directors are Singobile Ndlovu and Blessed Musademba.
During the period extending from November 12, 2025, to December 1 2025, Ndlovu Grains Private Limited was given 40 truckloads of grain maize weighing 1 480 tonnes by Tererai to transport from Gauteng Province, South Africa, to National Foods Harare, but it only delivered 21 truckloads.
Sibongile Ndlovu and Blessed Musademba, who are still at large and the truck drivers whose identities are yet to be established connived with Tererai and sold 19 truckloads of maize weighing 700 tonnes to Grindsberg Investment trading as Oriental Private Limited situated at number 14793 Coventry Road, Workington, Harare.
To conceal the offence, Tererai generated fake delivery notes purporting that all the grain maize consignment had been delivered to National Foods Harare Depot and later handed them to the complainant.
The matter came to light in December 2025 when the complainant noticed that National Foods had not paid for 19 truckloads.
This prompted the complainant to go to National Foods’ Harare Depot, where he was told that the delivery notes for the 19 truckloads were fake and had not originated from them.
This prompted the complainant to report the matter to the police, leading to Tererai’s arrest.
The total value of maize stolen is US$232 333,48/ ZAR3 800 000 and nothing was recovered.
