Two in court for crop side-marketing

A 38-year-old tobacco contract farmer will perform 210 hours of community service after a Karoi magistrate found him guilty of side marketing his crop last week.

Magistrate Mr Obidience Matare had initially slapped Nicholas Makusha with a jail sentence of eight months.

He, however, conditionally suspended two months while the remaining six months were also set aside on condition Makusha performs 210 hours of community work at Madzimoyo Primary School with effect from tomorrow.

Mr Matare also passed judgment in favour of Curverid Tobacco Limited in the sum of US$1 699,75 to be realised through the sale of accused's property by the Messenger of Court.

Makusha of Wilgins Village under Chief Mujinga was also ordered to surrender his identity card which he will get after completing his sentence.

The court heard that in April this year, Makusha, who had been supplied with a hectare's inputs worth US$1 699,75 by Curverid Tobacco during the 2013-14 season, diverted his crop to Tobacco Sales Floor using one Ketty Kayingwa's grower's number 245692.

Makusha failed to pay back the loan thereby forcing the company to take the matter to court. Meanwhile, another contract farmer from the same village, Leon Matumbaira (32), was fined US$100 or 40 days in jail after the same magistrate also convicted him of side-marketing.
Matumbaira caused financial prejudice of US$300 to Curverid Tobacco Limited.

Mr Matare also passed judgment in favour of the tobacco company in the sum of US$300 to be realised after the sale of Matumbaira's property by the Messenger of Court.

Mr Webser Dimingo prosecuted.