Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
TWO Mutare women’s love for a quick profit terribly backfired then they were convicted of fraud after unlawfully using their employer’s US$1 500 in an online investment that was uncovered during an end-of-day stock take.
Progress Muzite (25) and Winfilder Dangarembizi (27), were sentenced to five months imprisonment when they appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, who found them guilty of contravening Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Mrs Sharon Mlambo prosecuted.
The court heard that on June 16, Muzite – who was working as an Ecocash agent at the time – was entrusted by her employer to manage digital financial transactions.
“On June 16, the accused conspired with Dangarembizi to divert funds meant strictly for EcoCash operations. Muzite transferred three separate amounts of US$500 each into two mobile numbers specified by Dangarembizi, who assured her that she would receive the equivalent cash once her online dealings were completed.
“The incident came to light when the complainant noticed the US$1 500 shortfall during routine
reconciliations. Investigations revealed that Muzite had transferred the funds directly to Dangarembizi
without obtaining the physical cash in return,” said Mrs Mlambo.
In her defence, Dangarembizi stated that she had borrowed the money from Muzite with the
intention of investing it in an online business venture through a male associate.
However, she claimed that their online transaction was fruitless as the associate failed to repay the money as promised, leaving her at a loss.
“I never intended to steal from Muzite. I genuinely believed the online investment would work out, but
unfortunately, the man I had entrusted with the money disappeared. It was never my plan to deceive anyone or cause financial loss,” Dangarembizi pleaded with the court.
However, the court convicted both women of theft, and handed down each a five-month prison sentence that was suspended on condition they each pay back US$750 as restitution.
