Bank teller sentenced for theft

Trish Mukwazo, trishmukwazo515@gmailcom

A 34-year-old Bulawayo woman has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for theft and fraud by West Commonage regional magistrate Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe.

Samantha Sibanda, from Pumula South suburb was convicted of four counts of fraud and two counts of theft. She took advantage of her job as a bank teller at Sandies Hub Financial Services and unlawfully transferred cash amounting to US$2 192 to her husband’s account without the bank’s authorisation.

Mr Chikwekwe sentenced her to five years imprisonment but suspended one year of the sentence on condition that she does not within the next five years commit a similar offence.

In passing sentence, Mr Chikwekwe said he took into consideration that Sibanda pleaded guilty and therefore did not waste the court’s time.

He said also in Sibanda’s favour was that she was a first-time offender and has two children to look after.
Mr Chikwekwe however, said cases of fraud and theft were on the increase hence the need for deterrent sentences.

He said Sibanda had abused her position of trust by stealing from her employer.

Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo said between August 16 and September 7, 2024, Sibanda made illegal transactions thereby prejudicing her employer of US$ 2 192. The anomalies were discovered on September 11, 2024 leading to Sibanda’s arrest.