Making his bail application yesterday, Tafirenyika Mariga (43) told the court that he did not commit the offence but alleged the farmers sold the 33,6 tonnes of Command Agriculture fertiliser to him.
Mariga is jointly charged with Hilda Masamba (34) and Kumbirai Duku (36). Duku, who is represented by Mr Stephen Chikotora, said he is not known to Mariga and Masamba as he was in Chiredzi on the day in question and nowhere near the crime scene. In his defence he said that he is a commodity broker and he wanted to buy the fertiliser for resale. On the other hand, Masamba told the court she did not know why she was arrested.
The prosecutor, Ms Audrey Chogumaira, opposed bail saying the trio will prey on unsuspecting farmers if released. Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa will make a bail ruling today.
More: Herald
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