A group of villagers in Shurugwi has been sentenced to four months in jail for unlawfully taking 41 bags of fertilizer from a damaged haulage truck.
Among those sentenced is Dominica Shumba, a 62-year-old Agritex officer.
The incident occurred when Bernard Ndebeka, driving a G and H Transport truck from South Africa to Zambia, experienced a road accident along the Shurugwi – Mhandamabwe road at Mufiri Village.
As the truck was rendered unattended following the accident, Ndebeka, who sustained injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, inadvertently left behind the bulk ammonium nitrate fertilizer he was transporting.
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The court as reported by, The Mirror, heard that while the truck was left unattended, Shumba, along with other villagers—Tariro Chisuva (46), Mary Mukanda Bvute (52), Vaidah Dube (63), Nyasha Mlambo (35), Vimbai Madumani (37), Netsai Tomu (43), and Happison Mpofu (28)—took advantage of the situation and stole the 41 bags, valued at US$1,517.
Following the incident, Ndebeka reported the theft to the police, which prompted investigations that ultimately led to the recovery of the stolen fertilizer and the subsequent arrest of Shumba and the other villagers.
During the trial, the magistrate, Sithabile Zungula, decided to suspend the jail sentences for the defendants, given that all 41 bags of fertilizer were recovered.
Despite escaping a custodial sentence, the ruling serves as a warning about the consequences of exploiting unfortunate circumstances.
