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Social welfare officer jailed for stealing drought relief wheat
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A human resources and administration officer with Zimbabwe's Department of Social Development has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of stealing wheat meant for the Government's drought relief programme.
Zvinaiye Bhunu was convicted by Winfield Tayitara at the Bindura Magistrates' Court.
Magistrate Tayitara suspended one year of the sentence for five years on condition that Bhunu does not commit a similar offence during that period. A further 18 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes US$14 500 to the Bindura Social Welfare Department.
Bhunu will therefore serve an effective one year and six months in prison.
Prosecutor Linnel Makurumure told the court that the offence occurred at a time when the Government had intensified food relief efforts following an El Niño drought which left many communities vulnerable to hunger.
The court heard that in February 2024, grain was being withdrawn from depots run by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for distribution to drought-affected wards across the country.
A transport company, BM Transit Investment, had been contracted by the Department of Social Development in Bindura to move the grain, while ward food distribution committees were established to oversee transparency and accountability.
On August 21, 2024, Bhunu allegedly generated a grain withdrawal slip at the Department of Social Development offices and presented it at the GMB Bindura Depot, falsely indicating that the wheat was intended for Ward 5, St Basil's in Matepatepa.
Five days later, the GMB released 30.4 tonnes of premium wheat based on the dispatch voucher, with Bhunu signing for the consignment.
The transporter was supposed to collect the wheat under police escort and deliver it to the designated distribution point.
However, the court heard that the police officer assigned to escort the consignment was misled after Bhunu allegedly claimed that the truck transporting the wheat had developed mechanical problems and could not proceed with the delivery.
The officer was instructed to wait for the truck the following day at Mazowe River Bridge.
He arrived at the meeting point at around 7am and waited until midday, but the truck never arrived.
On August 30, officials from the Grain Marketing Board later impounded the truck in Ruwa after it was found transporting wheat without the required licence.
Further investigations revealed that the wheat had been stolen. The consignment was valued at US$14 732, the court heard.
Zvinaiye Bhunu was convicted by Winfield Tayitara at the Bindura Magistrates' Court.
Magistrate Tayitara suspended one year of the sentence for five years on condition that Bhunu does not commit a similar offence during that period. A further 18 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes US$14 500 to the Bindura Social Welfare Department.
Bhunu will therefore serve an effective one year and six months in prison.
Prosecutor Linnel Makurumure told the court that the offence occurred at a time when the Government had intensified food relief efforts following an El Niño drought which left many communities vulnerable to hunger.
The court heard that in February 2024, grain was being withdrawn from depots run by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for distribution to drought-affected wards across the country.
A transport company, BM Transit Investment, had been contracted by the Department of Social Development in Bindura to move the grain, while ward food distribution committees were established to oversee transparency and accountability.
Five days later, the GMB released 30.4 tonnes of premium wheat based on the dispatch voucher, with Bhunu signing for the consignment.
The transporter was supposed to collect the wheat under police escort and deliver it to the designated distribution point.
However, the court heard that the police officer assigned to escort the consignment was misled after Bhunu allegedly claimed that the truck transporting the wheat had developed mechanical problems and could not proceed with the delivery.
The officer was instructed to wait for the truck the following day at Mazowe River Bridge.
He arrived at the meeting point at around 7am and waited until midday, but the truck never arrived.
On August 30, officials from the Grain Marketing Board later impounded the truck in Ruwa after it was found transporting wheat without the required licence.
Further investigations revealed that the wheat had been stolen. The consignment was valued at US$14 732, the court heard.
Source - The Herald
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