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UK-based director in US$22k Mazoe orange crush theft
3 hrs ago |
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A 33-year-old company director has appeared in court facing theft charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme that prejudiced Schweppes Zimbabwe of more than US$22 000 worth of Mazoe Orange Crush.
The accused, Tatenda Masawi, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo over the weekend and was not asked to plead.
The complainant is Schweppes Zimbabwe, represented by its Senior Loss Control Officer, Admire Nhenderere.
According to the State, Masawi—who is the managing director of MSTATZ Private Limited, a logistics company based in the United Kingdom—allegedly made an enquiry on January 25 to purchase 1 750 cases of Mazoe Orange Crush.
He was reportedly quoted US$36 750 for the local market and US$21 205 for the export market.
Prosecutors allege that Masawi misrepresented that the consignment was destined for export to the United Kingdom and proceeded to place the order under the export arrangement. He allegedly paid US$21 205 for the consignment on January 31.
On February 14, the goods were inspected and sealed for export by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) before being loaded onto a Mozambique-registered truck at Schweppes Zimbabwe premises for transportation through Forbes Border Post.
However, investigations indicate that the consignment never left the country. Authorities allege that the Zimra seal was broken in Harare shortly after departure, and the shipment did not reach its intended destination.
The matter came to light after the truck failed to arrive at Forbes Border Post, triggering investigations that implicated Masawi.
As a result of the alleged misrepresentation, Schweppes Zimbabwe reportedly suffered an actual loss of US$14 915 and incurred a Zimra penalty of US$7 478, bringing the total prejudice to US$22 399.95. Nothing has been recovered to date.
Police have since seized Masawi's mobile phone, which has been sent for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
The accused, Tatenda Masawi, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo over the weekend and was not asked to plead.
The complainant is Schweppes Zimbabwe, represented by its Senior Loss Control Officer, Admire Nhenderere.
According to the State, Masawi—who is the managing director of MSTATZ Private Limited, a logistics company based in the United Kingdom—allegedly made an enquiry on January 25 to purchase 1 750 cases of Mazoe Orange Crush.
He was reportedly quoted US$36 750 for the local market and US$21 205 for the export market.
On February 14, the goods were inspected and sealed for export by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) before being loaded onto a Mozambique-registered truck at Schweppes Zimbabwe premises for transportation through Forbes Border Post.
However, investigations indicate that the consignment never left the country. Authorities allege that the Zimra seal was broken in Harare shortly after departure, and the shipment did not reach its intended destination.
The matter came to light after the truck failed to arrive at Forbes Border Post, triggering investigations that implicated Masawi.
As a result of the alleged misrepresentation, Schweppes Zimbabwe reportedly suffered an actual loss of US$14 915 and incurred a Zimra penalty of US$7 478, bringing the total prejudice to US$22 399.95. Nothing has been recovered to date.
Police have since seized Masawi's mobile phone, which has been sent for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
Source - H-Metro
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