Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A HARARE man employed as an accounting and administration assistant at a local company has been arrested on allegations of defrauding his employer of US$175 000.
Tawanda Rodney Chitiga appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Appolonia Marutya over the weekend and was granted US$300 bail.
The complainant in the matter is Gilchrist and Cooksey, a furniture manufacturing company, represented by Mr Gabriel Chiuriri.
According to the State, Chitiga’s responsibilities included assisting with computer-related tasks, collecting rent payments from tenants occupying the company’s properties, and ensuring the safekeeping of cash collected by cashiers.
In 2024, Chitiga assumed the role of custodian for all cash collected on behalf of the company, which he kept locked in his office.
However, in September this year, the complainant instructed Chitiga to deposit the cash into the company’s bank account. Chitiga allegedly failed to comply and provided a series of excuses.
Later that month, the complainant requested a physical count of the cash under Chitiga’s custody.
It was discovered that only US$22 140 was available, despite records indicating that US$197 890 had been received from cashiers.
When questioned about the missing funds, Chitiga reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, prompting the company to file a police report.
