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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A 21-year-old man from Kandava Village under Chief Seke has been arraigned before the court for allegedly diverting funeral policy funds amounting to US$22 385 for personal use.
Cuthbert Munyaradzi Masimwa appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Isheunesu Matova facing charges of theft of trust property.
He was granted US$300 bail.
The complainant, Doves Life Assurance, a funeral policy provider, is being represented in court by its company secretary, Mr Brain Vhito.
According to the prosecutor, Mr Rufaro Chonzi, Masimwa was employed by Doves Life Assurance as a cashier between May 2023 and September 27, 2024.
His duties included receipting cash payments from clients using various methods, such cash, EcoCash, swipe and other mobile payment platforms. He was also tasked with attending to client inquiries and confirming payments done via EcoCash, OneMoney and Telecash before issuing receipts.
It is alleged that between April 17, 2024 and August 24, 2024, Masimwa devised a scheme to steal from his employer. He reportedly altered payment figures received from clients and under-declared payments made to Doves Life Assurance for funeral policies.
The alleged scheme was uncovered on August 24, 2024 after a Doves Life Assurance client, Mr Willington Jeremiah Matsika, visited the office to verify his funeral policy.
Discrepancies on his policy records prompted an internal audit.
When Masimwa realised that an audit was underway, he tendered his resignation while on leave, presumably in an attempt to avoid detection.
However, the audit continued and revealed that Masimwa had stolen US$22 385.
Following the audit’s findings, Doves Life Assurance reported the matter to the police, leading to Masimwa’s arrest.
Online Reporter