Bulawayo man sentenced to community service for squandering beer sales money

A 33-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man, formerly employed as a manager at a local beer brewing company, has been sentenced to 420 hours of community service after misappropriating US$900 in beer sales.

Thomas Tsine from Pumula East suburb, was convicted of theft of trust property by Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

He was sentenced to 24 months in prison, with six months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. Another six months were suspended on condition that Tsine restitutes his former employer, Phuza Beverages, the US$900 by

March 13. The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he completes 420 hours of community service at Pumula Police Station.

Prosecuting, Ms Cathrine Kuzu told the court that in October last year, Tsine delivered beer on credit to Perfect Liquor Wholesale in Kelvin North, Bulawayo. On January 9, around 1 PM, he collected US$900 from the business on behalf of his employer.
“After collecting the cash, the accused person did not surrender the money to the company and instead pocketed it,” said Ms Kuzu.

A follow-up at Perfect Liquor confirmed that Tsine had taken the money, prompting a police report and his subsequent arrest. The stolen funds have not yet been recovered.