Man in court for stealing from Gushungo Farm

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Michael Mashiri

A Dzivarasekwa man who is being accused of stealing property worth US$ 70 000 from Gushungo Holdings in Norton has been granted ZWL 200 000 bail.

Gerald Mupatsi, 35, of Dzivarasekwa 1 was employed as a clerk based at Highfield Farm, Norton, and he appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing three counts of theft. He is being charged of violating Section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.

The state alleges Mupatsi stole a combine harvester, water pump, one metal cold room, cultivator frame, pivot pipes, irrigation, pipes and other components of centre pivot from Highfield farm and sold the items.

Magistrate Dennis Mangosi ordered him to appear in court on 23 February 2023 pending finalisation of investigations. Mupatsi was also instructed to report once a week at the nearest police station, continue to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses in the matter.

Complainant in the matter is Gushungo Holdings represented by Collins Matongo who is employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and is currently attached at the former First Family residence.

The court heard that on April 19, 2022, Mupatsi together with Jabulani Dambura already on remand, stole a combine harvester head trailer at John O' groats workshop, Highfield Farm, Norton and sold it to Mark Deza of Capensis Farm, Norton, for US$1 400. The price is way below the reserve price of US$3 500 pegged during an auction which was done during the month of February 2022 for the same item.

Mupatsi did not receipt the sale transaction in the company receipt book as per normal procedure but instead, recorded the sale transaction which resulted in the said head trailer being driven out of the farm on 20 April. The value of the item stolen was US$3 500-00 and all was recovered.

The court also heard that on April 28, 2022, Mupatsi working with his accomplice Dumbura stole a wheel mounted water pump "Lot 58 "B" at the farm by instructing its removal from the auction yard.

They ordered it to be transported to one Mutanga in Damafalls, Norton.

Mupatsi executed this by issuing out a 'Goods Out Note' which purported that the pump was going for repairs yet the pump had no problem, thereby causing a loss of US$35 000 and nothing was recovered.

Again in April 2022, Mupatsi with Dumbura and Farai Jemwa who is still at large stole one metal coldroom, cultivator frame, pivot pipes, irrigation, pipes and other components of centre pivot from Highfield Farm and sold the items. This resulted in the loss of US$70 000 and nothing was recovered.

The crimes were discovered after Gushungo Holdings had done random checks regarding operations resulting in them making a report to the Police on 16 May 16, 2022.