Chipanga released on US$400 bail

Former Makoni West legislator, Kudzi Chipanga, who is accused of stealing Presidential inputs valued at US$11,200, was granted bail of US$400 on Tuesday. Chipanga appeared before Rusape regional magistrate, Mrs. Barbara Mateko, who remanded him out of custody until January 30, 2025, with specific reporting conditions.

Chipanga, who is alleged to have stolen the inputs from the Department of Agriculture Research and Extension (Arex) in Makoni District, was granted bail on the condition that he resides at his Wakefield Farm in Headlands. He is also required to report to the Rusape Rural Police Station twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Furthermore, Chipanga is prohibited from interfering with witnesses or investigations related to the case.

The alleged theft occurred after the inputs - comprising 200x50kg bags of ZFC Compound D fertilizer, 100x5kg bags of SC649 seed maize, and 500 packets of vegetable seed - were delivered to Arex for distribution as part of the Pfumvudza program. The inputs, which were meant for distribution in Ward 38 of Headlands, were initially loaded onto a truck and transported to Lawrencedale Primary School for a ZANU PF rally.

After the rally, Chipanga, along with his alleged accomplices - Innocent Magutakuona, Michael Musekiwa, and Julius Chipfupa, who are still at large - allegedly told an Arex officer, Mrs. Noria Gashu, that they were responsible for distributing the inputs to the people. However, they distributed the inputs without the consent of Arex, leading to confusion and a commotion among the beneficiaries. Chipanga then reportedly halted the distribution, instructing his accomplices to return the truck to GMB Rusape Depot for safekeeping.

Later, Chipanga allegedly called Mrs. Gashu and ordered her to stop the truck at Crofton Shop. He and his accomplices offloaded additional inputs, which were then distributed to people who had followed the truck. The stolen goods were further offloaded at a house along the Rusape-Nyanga Road and in Rusape's Industrial Area.

The total value of the stolen inputs amounted to US$11,200, but none of the stolen goods have been recovered.

Chipanga's lawyer, Mr. Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, argued that his client was a suitable candidate for bail, highlighting that Chipanga had cooperated with the police during the investigation and had provided a traceable address. The State, represented by Ms. Event Dhliwayo, did not oppose the bail application, noting that Chipanga had voluntarily surrendered to the police, unlike his alleged accomplices, and had no intention of absconding.

The case has raised significant attention due to the involvement of a former legislator and the value of the stolen inputs, which were meant to benefit local farmers as part of a government program. The investigation continues, and the case will return to court in January 2025.