A duo has appeared in court facing charges of theft of trust property after allegedly stealing 107 boxes of custom-designed cookware worth US$20,000 from a consignment being transported from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
The accused, Melisa Ngubule, a former truck driver employed by South African-registered logistics company Pride Holdings Proprietary Limited, and Isaiah Mhishi, a self-employed motor mechanic, appeared before Harare magistrate Nyasha Marufu.
They are being charged with theft of trust property and were each granted US$200 bail.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that sometime in February this year, the complainant, Delma Chigumba, engaged Pride Holdings Proprietary Limited to transport 924 boxes of custom-designed cookware, including pots, pans, grills and strainers, from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Harare.
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The court heard that Ngubule allegedly connived with Mhishi and Shepherd Nyika, who is still at large, to steal 107 boxes of the cookware.
The trio allegedly distributed the stolen goods to various individuals in Harare and Bulawayo for resale on their behalf.
The accused allegedly delivered the remaining 817 boxes to Chigumba in Harare, claiming that the missing boxes were still in their warehouse.
However, the complainant later discovered that some of her products were being advertised for sale online, prompting her to report the matter to the police.
Investigations led to the recovery of cookware valued at US$5,000 from various retailers in Harare and Bulawayo who had allegedly received the products from the accused.
The total value of the stolen property is US$20,000, with goods worth US$5,000 recovered, leaving property worth US$15,000 unaccounted for.
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