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4 arrested for stealing road project cement
11 hrs ago |
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Four men appeared before the Mutare Magistrates' Court yesterday facing charges of theft of trust property after allegedly stealing cement intended 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. They were remanded to January 26, 2026, when their trial is expected to commence.
Prosecutor Mr Talent Nyamuzuwe told the court that Derivative Resources, the implementing contractor, had been engaged by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development to construct a six-kilometre tarred road stretching from Riverside to Odzi Business Centre.
Cement earmarked exclusively for the project was reportedly stored at Odzi Council Hall for safekeeping. However, between December 11 and December 18, 2025, the four accused allegedly withdrew 370 bags of 50kg cement from the storage facility and sold them to third parties.
The State alleges that the unauthorised removal and sale of the cement prejudiced the Government of US$5 580 and potentially compromised the quality of the road works.
The matter came to light after an Odzi councillor received a tip-off on January 6, 2026, prompting investigations that led to the arrest of the suspects.
During interviews conducted on January 8, 2026, the accused allegedly revealed that some of the cement had been sold to a hardware dealer in Chigodora. Police followed up, and the businessman reportedly admitted to buying 39 bags, most of which had already been sold, with only one bag remaining.
The single bag was recovered and is being held as an exhibit.
According to the prosecution, the total value of the stolen cement is US$5 580, while the recovered cement is valued at US$1 500.
The four accused will return to court later this month as investigations continue.
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. They were remanded to January 26, 2026, when their trial is expected to commence.
Prosecutor Mr Talent Nyamuzuwe told the court that Derivative Resources, the implementing contractor, had been engaged by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development to construct a six-kilometre tarred road stretching from Riverside to Odzi Business Centre.
Cement earmarked exclusively for the project was reportedly stored at Odzi Council Hall for safekeeping. However, between December 11 and December 18, 2025, the four accused allegedly withdrew 370 bags of 50kg cement from the storage facility and sold them to third parties.
The State alleges that the unauthorised removal and sale of the cement prejudiced the Government of US$5 580 and potentially compromised the quality of the road works.
During interviews conducted on January 8, 2026, the accused allegedly revealed that some of the cement had been sold to a hardware dealer in Chigodora. Police followed up, and the businessman reportedly admitted to buying 39 bags, most of which had already been sold, with only one bag remaining.
The single bag was recovered and is being held as an exhibit.
According to the prosecution, the total value of the stolen cement is US$5 580, while the recovered cement is valued at US$1 500.
The four accused will return to court later this month as investigations continue.
Source - Manica Post
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