Mvuma Magistrate, Ms Constance Mutandwa, suspended one year of the sentence on the condition that the two do not commit a similar crime again.
Titus Marange and Stephen Nhamo were arrested in Mvuma last year after police got information that they had stolen entries. Prosecutor Mr. Simbarashi Huata told the court that on October 13, 2023, Five thieves broke into the warehouse, where they assaulted the guards on duty and tied them up with rope. They drove their truck to the warehouse and confiscated 364 bags of Compound D fertilizer before speeding away.
A report witnessed police intercepting them as they headed towards Mvuma, leading to the recovery of the entries.
The two face similar charges in Zhombe and Wedza where they used the same method to steal presidential inputs from GMB warehouses. Commenting on the pair’s conviction yesterday, GMB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Edson Bhadarai, praised the police for their quick action that led to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“More of our warehouses could have fallen prey to these individuals had they not been located quickly,” Dr Bhadarai said.
He sIt is illegal for anyone to buy or sell inputs intended for the presidential scheme.
In a recent notice, GMB said the presidential inputs were not for sale and were meant to be put to good use by the beneficiaries through farming in their areas.
“GMB would like to remind members of the public that under Statutory Instrument No. 247 of 2018, it is illegal to sell or buy inputs distributed to farmers under the Presidential Input Scheme or any contract scheme or from any unauthorized trader.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Giri, urged communities to fully utilize their lands and maximize production, warning Agritex officials and beneficiaries against misuse of Pfumvudza agricultural inputs.
He said those caught sneaking would face the full wrath of the law.
“We are on a crusade going to every district and ward to preach the gospel of land utilization and the benefits that come with adopting the Pfumvudza programme.
“Every farmer must be diligent, plow, harvest and sell the surplus. We will not tolerate abuse of inputs. The rise in cases of abuse of inputs is worrying,” he said.
