Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
A Department of Social Development human resources and administration officer has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing wheat meant for the Government’s drought relief programme.
Zvinaiye Bhunu was convicted by Bindura Provincial Magistrate Ms Winfield Tayitara, who suspended one year of the sentence for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.
A further 18 months were suspended on condition that Bhunu restitutes US$14 500 to the Bindura Social Welfare Department. He will therefore serve an effective one year and six months in prison.
Prosecutor Linnel Makurumure told the court that the offence occurred at a time when Government had intensified the food relief programme following the El Niño-induced drought which left many communities vulnerable to hunger.
The court heard that in February 2024, grain was being withdrawn from Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots for distribution to drought-affected wards across the country.
A company, BM Transit Investment, had been contracted by the Department of Social Development in Bindura to transport the grain, while ward food distribution committees were set up to ensure transparency and accountability.
On August 21, 2024, Bhunu generated a grain withdrawal slip at the Department of Social Development offices and presented it at the GMB Bindura depot, falsely indicating that the wheat was meant for Ward 5, St Basil’s in Matepatepa.
Five days later, the GMB released 30.4 tonnes of premium wheat using the dispatch voucher, and Bhunu signed for the consignment.
The transporter was supposed to collect the wheat under police escort to the designated distribution point.
However, the court heard that the assigned police officer was misled after Bhunu claimed the truck transporting the wheat had developed mechanical problems, and the delivery could not proceed.
The police officer was instructed to wait for the truck the following day at Mazowe River Bridge in Bindura District.
He arrived at the meeting point around 7am and waited until midday, but the truck never arrived.
On August 30, officials from the GMB impounded the truck in Ruwa after it was found transporting wheat without the required licence.
Further investigations later revealed the theft.
The stolen wheat was valued at US$14 732.
dyton mupawaenda