CHEGUTU – Former Deputy Information Minister in the cabinet of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Bright Matonga, has been granted bail by the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court after being accused of theft, involving farm equipment and machinery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Matonga, who faces two counts of theft, was released on US$600 bail, while his co-accused, Wasili Wisili, was granted US$100 bail.
Matonga is facing two counts of theft, with the first count related to the alleged theft of two John Deere tractors valued at US$70,000 from Monchris (Landos) farm in Selous.
The tractors were recovered and are currently in the possession of the authorities.
On the second count, Matonga is jointly charged with his employee, Wasili Wisili on allegations of theft.
The State is alleging that on the 19th of February 2016, the complainant, Talbec Investments Pvt Ltd represented by David Leonard Van Breda entered into a joint venture with the first accused person who is the owner of Chigwell Farm in Chegutu.
The agreement gave the complainant farming rights on the said farm for up to 15 years. Upon occupying the farm, the complainant equipped the farm with farm implements and machinery valued at USD414 888.
The complainant only operated on the farm for six years before his employees were evicted by the first accused person on the 11th of December 2021 and they left behind all their farm equipment, implements as well as consumables.
It is alleged that some time in December 2021, the first and second accused persons instructed Chigwell Farm employees to open the warehouse at the farm and load farming equipment and implements belonging to the complainant onto vehicles on multiple occasions.
They allegedly took the farm implements to a destination unknown to the State.
Wisili was granted US$100 bail.
