MIDLANDS provincial governor and Zanu PF provincial chairman Jason Machaya’s two farm employees last week took advantage of his absence and stole three pigs worth $525 from the farm.
REPORT BY BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
The two – Maxwell Munthalila (19) and Kenias Mabhanzi (32) – however had their theft charge withdrawn before plea when they appeared before provincial magistrate Tendai Manwere on Monday.
The court heard that the pair stole Machaya’s pigs on December 6 while the politician was attending the 13th Zanu PF national people’s conference in Gweru.
It was the State case that the two slaughtered the pigs at night and sold the meat to gold panners at Snake Mine, a few kilometers from the farm.
The offence was discovered the following morning by other workers when they reported for duty, leading to the arrest of Munthalila and Mabhanzi.
Machaya in his sworn affidavit produced in court said: “I wish to withdraw the matter … the reason being that they have replaced my property (sic) in full value. They have also apologised and I have forgiven them.”
Salome Maunganidze appeared for the State.
