Garlpex Investments Staff Charged with Selling Company Mining Equipment
Two employees of Garlpex Investments Private Limited have appeared in court for the theft of US$194,500 worth of mining equipment, according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe.
By Patricia Rwafa
Fungai Mafundirwa, aged 38, and Kaseba Cosmas Ngwenya, aged 72, a security manager and guard respectively at Garlpex Investments, were arrested and charged with theft of trust property.
The two allegedly conspired to sell company mining equipment without authorization, receiving USD 3,000 in cash from a buyer.
To cover their tracks, the accused reported the equipment as stolen to the police. However, an investigation led to their exposure and arrest. The stolen property was valued at USD 194,500, and none of it was recovered.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, as announced on its X page yesterday, Mafundirwa and Ngwenya were arraigned before the Hwange Magistrates Court on charges of theft of trust property.
“Sometime in July 2024, the two accused persons allegedly instructed two men to find buyers for the sale of mining equipment. The men brought a buyer from Bulawayo, who purchased the equipment for USD 3,000 in cash. The buyer later sold the mining equipment to a Chinese company in Bulawayo.
“The accused then allegedly filed a police report, claiming the mining equipment had been stolen.
“Police investigations, initiated after a tip-off on July 24, 2024, revealed that the mining equipment had been sold.
“Further investigations led the police to the buyer of the mining equipment, who implicated the accused persons, resulting in their arrest. The stolen property was valued at USD 194,500, and nothing was recovered,” read the statement on X.