Robert Mutasa, a 44-year-old Telecel Zimbabwe manager from Bradfield suburb in Bulawayo, has been taken to court for allegedly exploiting his position to ste@l generators and crucial equipment worth around $145,000.
According to media reports, Mutasa was suspended from his job pending an investigation and arrested last week. He appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza and was remanded to the next day for a bail hearing.
According to prosecutor Dominic Moyo, Mutasa stole power-generating equipment from January last year until his arrest.
Only $65,000 worth of equipment was recovered out of the total value. Mutasa’s alleged thefts occurred in multiple suburbs, including Nketa, Makokoba, and Northend, where he would inform guards that he was taking the equipment for routine servicing.
The case highlights concerns about internal corruption and misconduct within Telecel Zimbabwe, which has faced financial struggles and been considered for corporate rescue.
“He was seen stealing some of the equipment by a work colleague recently and led police to the recovery of 13x13kva generators, which he had sold,” said Mr Moyo.
“The accused owns a valid passport and he is a man of means, therefore, if granted bail he may flee, looking at the amount involved. The accused might interfere with investigations and there is a likelihood of interfering with evidence or State witnesses if admitted to bail,” said Mr Moyo. He added that some of the witnesses were located in Hwange and Victoria Falls.
“Therefore, if granted bail, the accused might make it his mission that it is never recovered. The accused is likely to abscond, as he is facing a serious crime, which has overwhelming evidence of recovered property, when a convicted accused may be sentenced to quite a lengthy sentence. The accused is likely to commit other offences, seeing that he has been suspended from work,” said Mr Moyo.
