Harare, (New Ziana) – Two men from Nyabira, Mashonaland West province, have appeared in court for theft of drought relief maize.
Zimbabwe is running a blitz to distribute food aid to about six million food insecure people in rural areas, while 1.7 million in urban areas are benefiting from an Urban Cash Transfer Programme, after the country was hit by an El-Nino induced drought that badly affected the 2023/2024 cropping season.
In a post on X, the National Prosecution Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Prosper Chiwenga and Philimon Mudhombo (51) appeared at the Norton Magistrates’ Court.
Allegations against the two men, who are members of ZANU (PF), are that they used their political influence to manipulate distribution of maize meant for the Presidential Drought Relief Program.
They converted 400kg of the grain worth US$432 to personal use, thereby prejudicing the beneficiaries.
All the grain was eventually recovered. The men are expected back in court for bail hearing.
New Ziana