Malawi-bound relief items stolen in SA
A consignment of 453 000 kilogrammes (kg) of refined vegetable oil and 90 000 kg yellow split peas destined for vulnerable people in Malawi disappeared from a Johannesburg warehouse in South Africa last month, authorities have confirmed.
The goods, which disappeared in transit from a warehouse in Durban to Malawi, were a donation from Usaid to the United Nations’ (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) intended for people in Malawi affected by floods and poor rains this year.
WFP communications officer for Southern Africa David Orr said WFP and Usaid were concerned about the reported alleged theft of the products and that they are sincerely saddened to learn of the truck accident where people’s lives were lost.
Said Orr: “WFP and its donor partner are concerned about the reported alleged theft of vegetable oil and yellow split peas, a donation from Usaid that was destined for vulnerable people in Malawi who have been affected by floods and poor rains this year.
“Any action that would prevent us from reaching our beneficiaries is of great concern and right now we are working closely with authorities who are investigating the theft to secure the release and safe passage of the food supply to Malawi as soon as possible.”
He said of the 453 000 kg vegetable oil, 374 000 kg was diverted, of which 79 000 kg reached their destination. From the 90 000 kg of yellow split peas, 60 000 kg were recovered.
Apart from the recovered truck found in Krugersdorp, more trucks were found at warehouses in Eikenhof, Olifantsfontein and Boksburg.
The consignment reportedly went missing when it was loaded onto about 15 trucks sub-contracted at a warehouse in Johannesburg following their arrival from a warehouse in Durban.
