Security personnel in court for stealing mining equipment worth US$194 500

According to the latest crime statistics report by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the national crime rate increased to 2 812,7 per 100 000 people, up from 2 508,3 recorded in the third quarter.

Ivan Zhakata – Herald Correspondent

TWO security personnel at Garlpex Investments (Private) Limited in Hwange appeared in court on allegations of stealing and selling mining equipment valued at US$194 500.

Fungai Mufundirwa, the security manager, and Kaseba Cosmas Ngwenya, a security guard were arraigned before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court on charges of theft of trust property.

According to the prosecution, the duo allegedly enlisted the help of two accomplices to find buyers for the mining equipment.

A buyer from Bulawayo was eventually found and purchased the equipment for US$3 000 and the buyer later sold the equipment to a Chinese company in the city.

To cover their tracks, Mufundirwa and Ngwenya filed a false police report claiming that the mining equipment had been stolen.

However, a tip-off led to the buyer being identified and subsequent investigations implicated the security personnel.

The stolen property was never recovered.

Mufundirwa and Ngwenya are expected to return to court tomorrow for a bail ruling.