A 27-year-old South African truck driver has appeared in the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing charges of theft of trust property after he allegedly diverted a consignment of soya beans worth more than US$19 000 that was destined for delivery in Harare.
Samuel Tlali, from Free State Province and employed by GVC Logistics in South Africa, was arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on December 3, 2025, as he attempted to leave Zimbabwe.
The complainant in the matter is Tengwa Africa (Pvt) Ltd, represented by operations manager Bradley Smith.
According to the State, Tlali was assigned to transport 37 tonnes of soya beans from South Africa to the Zim-Gold depot along Lyton Road in Harare. He was driving a Scania truck with trailer registration numbers HSN829FS, JBB932FS and JBB983FS.
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However, upon reaching Harare on November 25, Tlali allegedly diverted the truck to an unknown location where he offloaded the entire consignment. He then reportedly sent fake delivery confirmation documents to the complainant, falsely indicating that the goods had been delivered.
The complainant became suspicious and made inquiries with Zim-Gold, who confirmed that no delivery had been received. A police report was filed at ZRP Southerton before the matter was transferred to the CID Commercial Crimes Division Harare.
Tlali was arrested days later at the Beitbridge Border Post as he attempted to cross back into South Africa.
The total prejudice to the complainant is US$19 011.83, and none of the goods have been recovered.
Tlali is expected to return to court for further remand proceedings.
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