2 denied bail over command agriculture inputs theft

TWO of the three suspects linked to the abuse of government’s command agriculture inputs scheme were denied bail when they appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Tuesday and were remanded in custody to January 24.

Tafirenyika Mariga (43) and Hilda Mashamba (34) were denied bail after the State said they were a flight risk and likely to interfere with investigations, while their alleged accomplice Kumbirai Duku (36) was released on $200 bail after he told the court he only acted as a broker and facilitated the transaction.

The three were arrested last Thursday on allegations of fraud after they alledgedly diverted and sold 33,6 metric tonnes of fertiliser and 30 litres of herbicides allocated to 51 farmers in Makonde district, Mashonaland West province.

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