ZANU PF MP Wiriranai Muchemwa (43) and Ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipindu (40) appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday on allegations of misappropriating US$12,000 donated as mealie meal to the community by a Chinese mining firm.
As reported by <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-mp-councillor-arrested-for-theft-of-us12-000-donation">The Sunday Mail</a>, the two were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before Magistrate Tildah Mazhande and were charged with theft. They were remanded in custody to Wednesday for a bail application.
Muchemwa, the MP for Uzumba, and Chipindu are accused of stealing from Black Cube Mining Company, represented by Wang Qun, the company’s human resources manager.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti alleges that on April 10, 2024, Wang Qun received a WhatsApp message from Muchemwa requesting US$12,000, which he claimed was for a revolving fund for constituency infrastructure development from April 2024 to April 2025.
Muchemwa claimed that the money would be directed towards constituency infrastructure development.
A meeting was held, attended by Chipindu, Tinashe Choto, Xu Maowen, Tinotenda Mutizwa from Yang Sheng, and Trish Maunganidze, the General Manager for Inducorn.
During the meeting, Wang Qun and another mining company, Yang Sheng, agreed to donate mealie meal, while Inducorn opted to donate US$4,000.
The mealie meal was intended to be donated at a Presidential address at Nhakiwa Business Centre, Murewa.
The Chinese companies approached Paguyo Millers, which offers milling and transportation services, and purchased 50 tonnes of maize to produce 40 tonnes of mealie meal.
According to the State, Paguyo Millers released 20 tonnes of mealie meal, which was taken to Murehwa Milling Company, specializing in selling, packaging, and milling maize.
Allegations are that Chipindu facilitated the sale of the mealie meal, which never reached the intended beneficiaries.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

ZANU PF MP Wiriranai Muchemwa and Councillor Knowledge Chipindu were accused of stealing US$12,000 meant for mealie meal for their community from a Chinese mining company. They were taken to court but did not enter their plea. The money was supposed to be used for developing the constituency. The Chinese company had agreed to donate mealie meal and another company had also donated money. The mealie meal was supposed to be given out at an event, but it never reached the people. Chipindu was said to have helped in selling the mealie meal.

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