Employees steal machinery from Chiadzwa

AN elderly Mutare woman on Monday brought his son-in-law before the courts for failing to cater for his son’s needs.

JUDITH Masuka appeared before Miss Nyasha Kuture claiming $150 as monthly maintenance from Chipo Matovanyika whom she accused of failing to fend for his six-year-old son.

Matovanyika has since divorced Masuka’s daughter.

The court heard that the six-year- old boy has not been attending school due to non-payment of fees.

“Matovanyika has not been taking care of his child for years now and I am struggling to raise funds for his school fees.

“Right now he is not going to school and I need the court’s intervention so that this man pays the fees. I am only a vendor getting between $10 and $15 each month,” said Masuka.

She could not disclose A ZIMBABWE Consolidated Diamond Company employee at Chiadzwa was recently arraigned before the courts on allegations of stealing machinery worth thousands of dollars together with a workmate who is on the run.

Kudakwashe Dangirwa (33) of House Number 3222, Dales, Hatfield, Harare was employed as a contract worker by ZCDC specialising in diesel plant fitting.

He appeared before Miss Tracy Muzondo, while Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.

Allegations were that during the period extending from August to December 2016, Dangirwa hatched a plan with Admire Nyaundi, who is still at large to steal from the company.

Nyaundi was a full-time security guard with ZCDC.

“Together, the pair stole one chasis control unit and one transmission control unit (TSU) from a parked dumptruck flit D.1 mining machine which was in the workshop at ZCDC Marange and went away unnoticed.

“On December 14, 2016, where the mother of the child is.

In response, Matovanyika told the court that he prefers staying with the child than paying maintenance, but the court advised him that he was in court for maintenance, not child custody.

“I have eight other children so I was thinking it would be better if I take this child to stay with him with the other eight, than paying maintenance.

“Moreover, I have a wife and other relatives to take care of. My net salary at the moment is $186 since I obtained a loan from a microfinance company,” he said.

He later offered to pay $10 for the child.

In her ruling, Miss Kuture ordered Matovanyika to pay $17 for the child with effect from February 28. ZCDC workshop foreman, Tapiwa Mafuro, discovered the offence and reported the matter to the police. Investigations were done leading to the arrest of Dangirwa. His accomplice, Nyaundi could not be located,” said Mr Karombe.

It was further alleged that on January 5, Dangirwa led the police to the recovery of the chasis control unit and the transmission control unit.

Mafuro positively identified the property.

The value of the stolen property was $6 646.

In his response to the charge, Dangirwa seemed surprised, saying he was a State witness and not a suspect since he helped the police recover the stolen machinery from Nyaundi’s residence.

“Your Worship, I am not part of this offence, rather out of my goodwill, I helped the police and they recovered the stolen items from the real thief’s residence. I do not see why I should be the one in the dock today,” he said.

The matter was adjourned to February 15 for trial. Dangirwa was remanded out of custody on his own cognisance.