Eco-cash agent steals from employer

Tendai Gukutikwa
IN a disgraceful act, a 33-year-old Eco-cash agent was last week arraigned before a Mutare magistrate for stealing cash amounting to $1 814 from an Eco-cash booth he was manning in Chikanga high-density suburb.
Abisha Makamanzi pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Ms Annie Ndiraya.

However, Makamanzi was convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

Six months of the sentence were wholly suspended on condition that he did not commit a similar offence in the next five years, while the remaining four months were suspended on condition that he paid back the $1 814 to the owner by December 30.

The State, represented by Mr Cuthbert Bhosha, stated that Calisto Maniki, the owner of the booth, audited his books on August 24 and discovered that his money totalled $1 814.

Mr Bhosha told the court: “The accused claimed that he misplaced the money on June 20, yet he did not tell anyone, not even the police.”

In mitigation, Makamanzi claimed that the money was stolen from his booth which is situated behind Chikanga Beerhall.

“I did not report the matter to anyone because Maniki had earlier on threatened to deal with anyone who misplaced his money. I wanted to reimburse his money through monthly instalments using my salary since he did not audit my booth occasionally,” he said.

Makamanzi, who earned $270 monthly, was caught unawares since Maniki decided to audit the books without notifying him.