A FORMER unit manager with the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) was yesterday arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing two counts of theft involving US$42 120.
Praise Makombore (36), who was being represented by Dumisani Mthombeni, was granted US$200 bail and ordered to return to court on September 11 this year pending finalisation of investigations.
Cottco is being represented by Eunice Mupanduki in the case.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that sometime in 2023, Makombore, who was stationed at the Cottco Mutoko depot and was the custodian of presidential inputs, connived with one Zinhle Ndlovu to steal fertiliser meant for distribution to farmers in the area.
Makombore allegedly purported to have received instructions to order the release of the fertiliser for distribution to farmers.
On August 23 last year, Ndlovu allegedly instructed Moses Chibanda, a field assistant at Kotwa, to release 1 170 50kg bags, saying she had received instruction from Makombore.
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The fertiliser was reportedly then loaded onto two trucks without completion of necessary documentation.
It is alleged that the trucks went to a warehouse in Murehwa, where Makombore was seen collecting the fertiliser on different occasions.
Cottco was reportedly prejudiced of Compound L fertiliser valued at US$42 120 and nothing was recovered.
On a different count, between February 2022 and June 2023 at the same depot, Makombore allegedly conducted business with Cottco without declaring personal interests.
Mutsokoti alleged that Makombore’s vehicles were contracted to provide transportation services to Cottco using the name Mutandiro.
According to court documents, Makombore allegedly received payment using her husband’s bank account without disclosing to Cottco that she was an interested party.