Tinaye Agere
Nyore Madzianike
UZUMBA Member of Parliament, Wiriranai Muchemwa (43) and Ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipindu (40) appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court today on allegations of misappropriating US$12 000 donated as mealie meal to the community by a Chinese mining firm.
The two were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Tildah Mazhande charged with theft.
They were remanded in custody tomorrow for bail application.
Muchemwa and Chipindu allegedly stole from Black Cube Mining Company, which was represented by Wang Qun, the company’s human resources manager.
Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti alleges that on April 10, 2024, Wang Qun received a WhatsApp message from Muchemwa requesting f US$12 000, which he said was a revolving fund for the period April 2024 to April 2025.
Muchemwa claimed that the money would be directed towards constituency infrastructure development.
They then held a meeting which was also attended by Chipindu, Tinashe Choto, Xu Maowen, Tinotenda Mutizwa from Yang Sheng and Trish Maunganidze, who is the General Manager for Inducorn,
During the meeting, the State alleges, Wang Qun and another mining company Yang Sheng told Muchemwa that they would donate mealie meal, whilst Inducorn opted to donate US$4 000.
The mealie meal was supposed to be donated at a Presidential address at Nhakiwa Business Centre, Murewa.
The Chinese companies approached Paguyo Millers, which offers milling and transportation services and purchased 50 tonnes of maize with aim of producing 40 tonnes of mealie meal.
According to the State, Paguyo Millers released the 20 tonnes of mealie meal which was taken to Murehwa Milling Company, which also specialises in selling, packaging and milling maize.
Allegations are that Chipindu facilitated the sale of the mealie meal, which never reached the intended beneficiaries.
Online Reporter