adminMashudu Netsianda and Emily Mbewe Court Reporters
A BULAWAYO Polytechnic accountant allegedly defrauded her employer of more than $57,000 including a tranche from the Zimbabwe Development Employment Fund (ZIMDEF) meant for students on industrial attachment, a magistrate heard yesterday.
Bulawayo magistrate Victor Mpofu heard how Mujira Chivandi, 38, of Entumbane suburb pocketed the money belonging to the institution on different occasions.
Chivandi’s application for bail pending trial was dismissed and she was remanded in custody to February, 16, for trial.
In dismissing the application, magistrate Mpofu said due to the gravity of the alleged crime, there was no guarantee that Chivandi would not abscond if released on bail.
“The fact that Chivandi has a family is not convincing enough to be granted bail. The fact that you were suspended from work, doesn’t mean that you will not interfere with key state witnesses. You committed a serious crime when you allegedly siphoned a state institution for such a large amount of money. That conduct must be frowned at and granting such as person bail will objectively undermine or jeopardise the public confidence in the criminal justice system,” said magistrate Mpofu.
“In casu, the bail application must fail, effectively retaining Chivandi until she faces trial. The bail application is accordingly dismissed.”
In her bail application, Chivandi, who was not represented, stated that she was not a flight risk since she was not in possession of a travel document and was married.
She also said there is no way that she would interfere with investigations, as she was on suspension.
Prosecuting, Charles Danda narrated how sometime in April 2013 and June 2014 pocketed $12,100, which was supposed to be paid out to students on industrial attachment as allowances.
The court heard that on December, 2, last year, Chivandi received $8,210 which had been paid by students, but she failed to deposit the money into the institution’s bank account.
It is further alleged that during the same month, Chivandi received a further $2,829 from students and she also converted it to her own use.
On the fourth occasion, the prosecutor said: “Between January and May 2014 Chivandi defrauded the institution of $34,674 which the students were paying to the institution.”
An audit was conducted following a tip-off leading to Chivandi’s arrest.
Nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter