Published by the government of Zimbabwe
13 September 2008
Harare — A maize trader who was recently arrested after fleeing from two detectives with US$9 600 trap money appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court this week facing allegations of diverting maize meant for maize-meal production to the black market and defeating the course of justice.
Stanley Chombe (56), the managing director of Maidei Transport in Bluffhill, who was represented by Harare lawyer Mr Tinofara Hove of TK Hove and Partners, successfully applied for bail, but was remanded in custody to September 16 to allow the State to appeal against the court's decision.
It had earlier been reported that he made off with US$19 000 but the figure was said to be US$9 600 in court.
Prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Kasema gave notice for appeal after magistrate Ms Gloria Takundwa had granted Chombe $2 000 bail.
Allegations against Chombe are that on August 29 this year, police received information that he was illegally selling maize that had been acquired from Grain Marketing Board Beitbridge depot on the black market in foreign currency.
Acting on the information, it is alleged that a team of detectives approached Chombe at his premises posing as maize buyers and ordered 60 tonnes at US$320 per tonne.
They allegedly agreed to pay a total of US$9 600 for the 60 tonnes in advance since the grain was on high demand.
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