Graft-accused Chiredzi Cottco manager Innocent Guk...

Graft-accused Chiredzi Cottco manager Innocent Gukwe remanded in custody

Zim Now Writer

A manager with Cotton Company’s Chiredzi Depot Business Unit, Innocent Gukwe, 35, was yesterday remanded in custody over allegations of theft and corruption.

Gukwe, who was represented by by Prince Ganyani of PC Ganyani Law Firm, Charles Vhudzi of Vhudzi and associates Law Firm and Rita Chakauya of Muzenda and Chitsama Legal Practitioners, appeared before magistrateVimbai Mutukwa at the Chiredzi Regional Court, facing one count of theft and one count of corruption.

The court heard that in January 2024 Gukwe instructed Brighton Muza, a driver of a truck registration number AGJ 7704 belonging to Muguju Transport to collect 300 by 50 kg bags of compound L fertiliser from Cottco Kadoma depot.

On January 11, 2024, Cottco Kadoma transferred the 300 bags to Cottco Chiredzi Business Unit under internal movement of fixed items documents.
Muza collected the 300 bags of fertiliser but did not deliver them to Chiredzi depot but diverted them to an unknown destination.

The court also heard that on January 22, 2024, Gukwe instructed Muza to go to Chiredzi Bussiness Unit with internal movement of fixed item document for transfer of 300 by 50 kg bags compound L fertilisers, claiming that the fertilizers were delivered at Ngundu transit Depot.

The storesperson at Chiredzi depot then queried why the document for fertilisers that were collected on January 11, 2024 was presented on January 22, 2024 and Muza said he was busy transporting other loads.
Total cost of the fertilizer is US$10 500

On count two it is alleged that in 2022, Gukwe hatched a plan to siphon money from Cottco by saying that he would get a truck to contract to Cottco depot at favourable rates. Gukwe then bought two trucks and registered them in the name of Regis Chivaura under registration numbers AFS 2424 and AFU 4824.

Gukwe using his position would give the trucks frequent contracts and facilitate prompt payments. Gukwe got US$122 421.47 from using his trucks at Cottco.

Prosecutor Ronald Kwangware opposed bail with Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption investigating officer, Taurai Andrew Ziyambe, arguing that Gukwe would interfere with investigations.
Gukwe was remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.