Innocent Ruwende Senior Court Reporter
A PAIR Trade Investments transport and logistics manager who was arrested over the delivery of toxic sodium cyanide to Harare’s main waterworks was yesterday granted US$1 500 bail, coupled with stringent conditions.
Farai Muchenje (37) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma on allegations of contravening sections of the Water Act and the Environmental Management Act.
The driver of the truck which allegedly delivered the toxic chemical, Simon Demhe, is still at large.
Muchenje was ordered to report three times a week at CID Law and Order section and not to interfere with State witnesses.
The State says Demhe is employed as a truck driver by Astra Transport in Bulawayo and is trained in handling hazardous substances.
He is responsible for the transportation of goods locally and within Southern Africa.
Demhe, who is one of the six drivers of Astra trucks subcontracted by Pair Trade, is also responsible for handling bill of entry documents, custom road freight manifesto documents and handing them to Muchenje.
Appearing for the State, Mr Edmore Nyazamba from the Attorney-General’s Office alleged that on July 16 this year, Demhe left Beira, Mozambique, with a Cure Chem Overseas Private Ltd consignment of 19 580kg of sodium cyanide.
On July 19, it is alleged, the consignment was cleared in Zimbabwe at Forbes Border Post, Mutare, and by Environment Management Agency officials since he was carrying a hazardous substance which is toxic and harmful to both humans and the environment.
The chemical is imported into Zimbabwe mainly for gold processing.
Meanwhile, acting Mayor Emmanuel Chiroto said council does not just sever ties with companies that deliver wrong chemicals.
“We look into the circumstances that led to the wrong deliveries,” he said.
He blamed Freight World, the clearing agents, for last week’s delivery of sodium cyanide.