Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
TWO workers from Fairy Café in Bulawayo, who were accused of stealing US$4 724 after allegedly manipulating computer data, have been acquitted.
Theophelous Moyo and Loke Dube appeared on Friday before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manuwere, who found them not guilty and acquitted them.
In delivering his ruling, the magistrate said: “The Touch Africa product manager, who owns the GAP system destroyed the State’s case as he told the court that it is not possible for one to totally delete transactions from the system. The State’s four witnesses relied on information from other people, and none of them saw Moyo or Dube behind the keyboard altering information.”
The court noted that no forensic investigation had been carried out to establish the device used to allegedly commit the offence.
The magistrate further stated: “The IT expert admitted to the court that it was possible for one to log into the system using someone else’s password. The State relied on hearsay and failed to provide credible evidence to prove that the pair committed the crime. Hearsay cannot be used as evidence. Therefore, Dube and Moyo have not been found guilty and are acquitted.”
Prosecuting, Ms Veronica Danai Manyuka told the court that between January 2025 and December 2025, Moyo and Dube unlawfully interfered with computer data software by altering Moyo’s credentials.
Moyo, who was employed as a manager, and Dube allegedly modified the credentials to reflect Moyo as the owner of Fairy Café.
This reportedly enabled Moyo to gain access rights to delete critical information, including stock records.
The court heard that Dube, who was employed as a security guard, allegedly manipulated the computer system using Moyo’s new credentials. He is said to have deleted information related to stock and concealed transactions amounting to US$4 724, thereby prejudicing the complainant, the court heard.
derick.khumalo