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Crime Reporter
Police in Masvingo have arrested 24-year-old Petro Trade Service Station manager Martina Munyangadze on allegations of stealing more than 12 500 litres of diesel worth over US$17 000. The fuel was meant for Zupco buses, which were supposed to ferry delegates to the just-ended 6th Zanu-PF National People’s Congress.

Munyangadze was arrested last Wednesday after a Zupco official, Mr Gowdin Magwizi (32), discovered the offence and reported the matter to the police.

It is alleged that Munyangadze received 22 386 litres of diesel worth US$30 453,12 for safekeeping from Zupco Masvingo Depot.

Police said the diesel was to be used during the congress by Zupco buses.

Investigations carried out revealed that between December 7 and 11, Zupco buses received 9 816 litres of diesel worth US$13 349,76 from the service station.

It is alleged that during the same period, Munyangadze sold 12 570 litres of diesel worth US$17 103,36 to other customers and converted the money to her own use.

The offence was discovered on December 13 when Zupco buses were dispatched to get fuel from the service station and found the tanks empty.

Munyangadze failed to account for the diesel and a report was made to the police leading to her arrest.

She is still assisting police with investigations.

The latest incident comes after senior Government officials, prominent politicians and businesspeople have been implicated in a case in which a local firm reportedly imported 37 million litres of fuel worth millions of dollars for resale on the pretext that it was meant for the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

Glow Petroleum, which distributed the fuel to its service stations countrywide, is believed to have defrauded Government of more than US$13 million over the past six months by evading customs duty and other charges.

Company director Mr Aaron Chinhara and one of his managers who has not been named, were last week picked up for questioning by police.

The Herald understands that the net is closing in on some senior Government ministers and other officials implicated in the scam.

Police last week received a tip-off and raided some of the company’s premises in and around the capital.