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Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau

Zanu-PF councillor for Shurugwi Ward 10, Tapiwa Ndawana has been arrested after he allegedly stole 38 bags of maize meant for hungry villagers and sold them.

Ndawana (43) was yesterday arraigned before Shurugwi magistrate Mrs Sithabile Zungula facing theft charges.

He was remanded in custody to Wednesday next week.

There was drama outside the Shurugwi magistrate court after one of the witnesses suddenly walked out of the court gallery before he started groaning while shouting at court officials.

The witness only identified as Gondowa claimed he was an inyanga.

He performed some rituals outside the court room saying he was trying to save Ndawana from being jailed.

He was later taken to a police post within the magistrate courts but was later released.

The State case against Ndawana was that some time in November last year, he hired a truck which ferried 76 bags of maize from GMB to Tongogara Rural District Council Offices in Shurugwi.

The bags of maize were released at the GMB for Tongogara Ward 10 villagers under the Government’s food aid programme, the court heard.

On 27 November 2019, Ndawana allegedly hired a kombi which he sent to Tongogara District Council offices.

He allegedly asked a security guard to load 37 bags into the kombi.

It is the state’s case that Ndawana drove to Gweru where he sold the bags at Kudzanai bus terminus.

The security guard later indicated that some bags had been collected by Ndawana after being quizzed by the ward committee members.

A report was made at Chachacha Police Station leading to the arrest of Ndawana.