The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO security guards have been arrested for conniving with a truck driver and stealing maize from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Gwanda Depot.
Professor Ncube (27) and Sikhangele Ncube (41) who are both stationed at the depot and Martin Khonzi (48) of Insindi Village were convicted on their own plea of guilty to theft by Gwanda provincial magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube last week. They were each sentenced to seven months in prison of which three months were suspended on condition they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
The remaining four months were further suspended on condition they perform 245 hours of community service at some institutions.
Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Professor, Sikhangele and Khonzi on 4 July at around 3pm connived and stole three by 50 kilogramme bags of maize at the GMB Gwanda depot.
“On 4 July Khonzi who is a driver of a truck was hired by the GMB to transport 149 bags of maize meant for distribution at Stanmore. Khonzi approached Professor and told him that he wanted to buy three bags of maize at RTGS$60.
“Professor directed Khonzi to Sikhangele who agreed to give Khonzi the maize. Khonzi then loaded three extra bags to make them 152 instead of 149 bags in the truck and gave Sikhangele RTGS$60 as he was leaving the premises. Professor and Sikhangele remained behind and shared the money which Khonzi had paid them,” she said.
Miss Mahachi said the offence was discovered by a police officer who had been assigned to escort the maize to Stanmore when Khonzi wanted to offload three bags of maize before they reached their destination.
She said the police officer refused to offload the maize and upon arrival at Stanmore alerted the social welfare officers who were responsible for distribution of the maize resulting in Khonzi’s arrest.
Miss Mahachi said Khonzi then implicated his two accomplices, Professor and Sikhangele also leading to their arrest and $32 was recovered from Professor. She said the stolen maize valued at $121 was recovered.
@DubeMatutu
