A Mutare-based company, Laksem, has been brought before the court for allegedly stealing 250 tonnes of crop seeds worth $327 500 from Arda.
Only $49 040 worth of various crop seeds were recovered. Laksem was represented by its director Elizabeth Nyathi, who is responsible for the company’s day-to-day management.
She was not asked to plead on behalf of her company when she appeared before regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire on Thursday and the matter was remanded to August 22 for trial.
Prosecutor Michael Reza presented that during the 2010 Harare Agricultural Show, Laksem approached Arda Seeds who were looking for an agent in Mutare. Nyathi reportedly offered to sell the seeds at her outlet, Pass Supperite shop, a subsidiary of Laksem, in the eastern border town.
As a result the two parties entered into a seed-selling agency contract agreement in which Laksem would be Arda Seeds’ Mutare agent.
An agreement was signed where Laksem would be supplied with seeds and remit the proceeds of the sale within 14 days to Arda Seeds.
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Arda Seeds supplied 250 tonnes of seeds to Laksem between August and September for which proceeds were allegedly not remitted.
Arda Seeds officials went to Mutare where they discovered that only 30 tonnes of seeds worth $49 040 were still in stock.
Nyathi is alleged to have failed to account for the rest of the seeds, prompting Arda Seeds to report the matter to the police, leading to Laksem’s prosecution.