[BREAKING NEWS] American humanitarian goods gone astray
About 15 trucks carrying thousands of humanitarian assisted goods destined for Malawi disappeared in Johannesburg.
A police investigation is underway after almost 453 000kg of American humanitarian assisted goods destined for vulnerable people in Blantyre, Malawi disappeared from a Johannesburg warehouse last month.
This the News established from a reliable source investigating the case after inquiring about a runaway truck accident of which two people, including the truck driver, had died.
Initial article here: Runaway truck carrying humanitarian goods kills two
The truck was carrying a part of donated refined vegetable oil from the United States of America, estimated to be worth around R400 000, when the driver lost control and crashed with two other vehicles on the N14 highway in Krugersdorp, dragging a vehicle about 1km before coming to a standstill.
The cargo on the truck, a donation from the humanitarian organisation USAID to the United Nation’s (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) was intended for people in Malawi who have been affected by floods and poor rains this year.
A consignment of 453 000kg refined vegetable oil and 90 000kg yellow split peas went missing when it was loaded onto about 15 trucks sub-contracted by the WFP at a warehouse in Johannesburg following their arrival from a warehouse in Durban.
Apart from the recovered truck found in Krugersdorp, more trucks were found at warehouses in Eikenhof, Olifantsfontein and Boksburg.
David Orr, WFP spokesperson for Southern Africa said of the 453 000kg vegetable oil 374 000kg was diverted, of which 79 000kg reached their destination. All of the 90 000kg of yellow split peas were loaded and diverted, however, 60 000kg were recovered.
He said stock counting and quality checks are ongoing are ongoing after the police recovered 125 000kg.
An investigating officer said three security guarded trucks with goods valued of over R1 million have since arrived in Malawi.
Orr said the WFP and USAID is concerned about the reported alleged theft of the products and that they are deeply saddened to learn of the truck accident where people’s lives were lost.
“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 food supply to Malawi as soon as possible.”
Kevin O’Loughlin, USAID Southern Africa’s Communications Officer said the consignment was part of the organisation’s Food For Peace outreach programme which provides emergency food assistance to those affected by conflict and natural disasters.
“The people of Malawi will not lose out due to recent events as USAID will be replacing any items that were lost with items from our pre-positioned warehouse in Durban.”
About R480 million in aid are provided annually to Malawi through USAID’s Food For Peace project which comes from the organisation’s R3 billion budget for Southern Africa, covering 15 countries in total.
O’Loughlin said USAID’s budget for South Africa currently amounts to more than R3.6 billion and includes health, human rights, education, environment, job creation and trade facilitation projects.
The SAPS’ Crime Investigation Unit is investigating the alleged theft.
Nkosana Zali, municipal spokesperson for Mogale City have not responded to queries regarding ways to come up with plans regarding more visibility for truck drivers travelling down the steep R28 hill towards the N14 highway intersection since the truck accident took place last month.
