Botswana driver in court for draining, selling die...

Botswana driver in court for draining, selling diesel

Michael Mashiri and Patience Muchemwa

A 36-year-old Viendscape Private Limited driver, Dimpho Mthombeni of Francistown, Botswana has appeared before the Harare Magistrates” Courts charged with stealing from his boss.

The State, through prosecutor Grace Mugocheke, alleges that on July 11 at around 1200 hours, Mthombeni called his boss, when he reached the National Railways of Zimbabwe main station in Harare, telling him that he wanted fuel since he had driven the truck from Gaborone to Harare.

He was given 800 litres of diesel which he was supposed to use for the trip to Harare and return back to Gaborone.

Along the way, Mthombeni drained 400 litres of diesel worth US$600 and sold it without his boss' knowledge.

On July 24, 2023, Mthombeni had another trip to Zimbabwe from Botswana and along the way drained 390 litres of diesel and sold it again without telling his boss.

The total litres stolen are 790 valued at US$1 185 and nothing was recovered.

The State further alleges that on July 14, 2023, Mthombeni came from Botswana to Zimbabwe with a load of salt which he delivered in Mutare to a company by the name Samblise Logistics and he was given US$2 300 for the load which he was supposed to hand over to his boss.

He went on to take US$575 and converted it to his own use and upon being asked by the boss, he gave him US$1 725 and admitted that he had used the balance.

All in all, the boss lost US$1 750 and nothing was recovered.