Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A DEBTOR’S clerk with Pharmaceutical & Chemical Distributors Private Limited has appeared in court on charges of stealing US$569 347 from his employer.
Portia Mubaiwa was facing theft of trust property charges when she appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
She was freed on US$500 bail.
The complainant is Pharmaceutical & Chemical Distributors Private Limited, a duly registered company being represented by its finance manager, Abigail Kawonza.
The court heard that between January 2024 and May 2026, the accused person was responsible for posting receipts and reconciling customer accounts in the computer data capturing system.
She secretly approached the complainant’s client, Mainstreet Pharmacy, over payments and collected a total of US$569 347 and issued receipts every time she received a payment.
The accused person converted the money to her own use. To cover up the fraud, Mubaiwa posted fictitious entries into the company’s computerised data-capturing system.
The offence came to light when the complainant audited the books and records. The total value stolen is US$569 347 and nothing has been recovered.
