Employee dupes HIT of $21 million

 Zvikomborero Parafini 

A software developer defrauded Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) of over $21 million by diverting payments from the institute’s online system to his account.

Anorld Chifamba (26) appeared in court yesterday and was remanded in custody to today for bail consideration.

The court heard that HIT invited applicants from prospective students via its online application platform managed by Chifamba.

Chifamba took advantage of his position and allegedly logged into the system and changed the HIT PayNow account and put it under his control. All HIT online application fees were diverted into Chifamba’s PayNow account.

Chifamba instructed PayNow to further transfer the stolen funds into his bank account.

In last year’s academic year, Chifamba defrauded HIT of $3 302 564 and nothing was recovered.

He had already defrauded HIT of $21 217 069 this year.