Chronicle Editor
Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A 60-YEAR-old serial thief from Bulawayo allegedly stole $9 695 from his employer.
Edward Mwanza, employed by Wiltshire Explosives and in charge of the Bulawayo Magazine, is not new to the courts. In 2013 he appeared in court for stealing from the company more than $393 000 and R243 000 with two other employees.
Then, Mwanza escaped jail by offering a house in Rangemore valued at $12 500 and two cars which he had allegedly bought using part of the money as compensation.
The court fined him $1 000 or four years.
His employer gave him a second chance and he has allegedly stolen again.
Mwanza yesterday pleaded guilty to theft before magistrate Ms Sthembiso Ncube.
The court heard nothing was recovered from the $9 695 he allegedly stole.
Ms Ncube remanded him in custody to today for sentencing.
Mwanza pleaded with the court not to give him a custodial sentence so that he could restitute his employer. “May the court bring back the condition of a $1 000 fine that was placed in 2013 as opposed to the custodial sentence of four years,” he said.
However, prosecuting, Ms Tafadzwa Mutsambiwa said a custodial sentence was called for as he had committed a similar crime even after being given a second chance by his employer.
“It shows that he has no remorse and is not reformed. Imprisonment is the suitable punishment,” she said.
Ms Mutsambiwa said between April 1, last year and March 23 this year, Mwanza was in possession of more than $141 044,16 from the company’s sales and he submitted 131 348,66 to the company.
“He converted $9 695 for his own use and failed to hand it to the company when it was demanded,” she said.
@MondelaC
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