Harare Correspondent
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
A 49-year-old Air Zimbabwe employee, Jacob Mutemeri, appeared in Court on theft charges after allegedly draining Jet A1 fuel from his employer’s plane.
Mutemeri was granted US$150 bail and is set to return to court on January 23, 2025.
According to the State, Mutemeri hatched a plan to steal fuel from the Boeing 737 plane, which had 6.3 tonnes of fuel and was awaiting maintenance at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
“He started draining fuel from the plane every night from November 15 to 22, 2024,” said the prosecutor.
Mutemeri allegedly used an Air Zimbabwe vehicle to transport the stolen fuel, driving through the air side towards Gate A3.
“The offence came to light on November 22 during the servicing of the reported leak, and that’s when it was noted that the fuel from the plane was stolen,” said the prosecutor.
Air Zimbabwe has not commented on the incident, but the case has raised concerns about security and accountability within the airline.