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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
A Rusape farmer who sold her contracted tobacco meant for Mashonaland Tobacco Company to another company was recently jailed 12 months for side-marketing. Agatha Njambi (35) of Number 53 Adlamet Village, Headlands, was however, relieved after Rusape provincial magistrate Ms Patience Ururu Madondo wholly-suspended the sentence on condition that she restitutes Mashonaland Tobacco Company $954,30.

Njambi was found guilty of contravening Section 24(1)(b) of the Farmers Stop-order Act, Chapter 18.11, which makes it illegal for a farmer to divert crops to avoid payment of loans advanced. Prosecutor Mrs Moreblessing Tapfumaneyi said Njambi received inputs worth $945,30 from Mashonaland Tobacco Company to plant a hectare of tobacco, but went on to sell the crop to another company.

“On July 8, 2016 the accused person entered into a farming contract with Mashonaland Tobacco Company which was represented by Joel Muzanqana,” she said.

“The contract was that the accused person was given 8x50kgs Compound C fertiliser, 3x50kgs AN fertilizer, 20x50kgs coal, 2kgs twine, land chemicals and $175 cash to farm one hectare of tobacco. In return, the accused person would sell her to tobacco to Mashonaland Tobacco Company so that they recover cost of the inputs they advanced to the accused person. On an unknown date, but during the period extending from March 17, 2017 to June 22, 2017, Njambi sold her tobacco to an unknown tobacco company, which is contrary to their contract thereby depriving MTC from recovering its costs. The accused person prejudiced Mashonaland Tobacco Company of $954,30 and nothing was recovered.”