Theft of Odzi Road cement lands four in soup

The assailant and the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, knew each other as they both lived on Mutare’s streets

Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
FOUR suspects appeared at Mutare Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning facing charges of theft of trust property after allegedly conspiring to steal 370x50kg bags of cement meant for the Odzi-Marange Road construction project in Mutare North Constituency.
The accused, Innocent Mariko (51), Nigel Munetsi (28), Munyaradzi Shamba (41), and Tinashe Chiwanza (25), were granted bail of US$100 each by Mutare magistrate, Mr Honest Musiyiwa, and remanded to January 26, 2026, for trial commencement.
Prosecutor, Mr Talent Nyamuzuwe told the court that Derivative Resources, the implementing company, was contracted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development to construct a six-kilometre tarred road from Riverside to Odzi Business Centre.
The cement for the project was stored at Odzi Council Hall for official use only.
However, between December 11 and 18, 2025, the accused allegedly withdrew 370 bags of cement and sold them to third parties, prejudicing the Government of US$5 580, resultantly compromising the quality of work.
The alleged theft came to light following a tip-off received by an alert Odzi councillor on January 6, 2026, prompting investigations and the subsequent arrest of the four accused persons.
During interviews on January 8, 2026, the accused allegedly disclosed selling some cement to a Chigodora hardware businessman.
Detectives followed up, and the hardware owner admitted purchasing 39 bags from the accused persons, having sold most and retaining only one bag.
The single bag was recovered as evidence.
The prosecution values the stolen cement at US$5 580, with the recovered cement worth US$1 500.