Ex-employee gets community service for US$4 000 fraud

Rumbidzai Nyamande (30), of Zin’anga Village, Ziko Dema, is employed as the finance manager at Nexus Gases in Chitungwiza and is accused of defrauding her employer of more than US$34 000 by allegedly diverting money meant for suppliers to her personal use, was yesterday further remanded in custody

Dalyn Chigwizura

A 33-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who defrauded his former employer of more than US$4 000 has been sentenced to 420 hours of community service.

Shayne Taylor of Montrose suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty to fraud by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

Taylor was initially sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, with 12 months suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence during that period. A further 12 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant, Davis Granite (Pvt) Ltd US$4 035 by 30 January 2026.

The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that Taylor performs 420 hours of community service at ZBC Montrose Studios, starting today.

Prosecuting, Ms Cathrine Kuzu told the court that between August and October 28 this year, Taylor abused his position of trust by receiving payments from customers on behalf of the company and issuing them with fake receipts.

The fraud came to light when one customer presented a counterfeit receipt while attempting to collect quarry. Investigations subsequently revealed that Taylor had issued fake receipts amounting to US$4 035 to several customers, with the money never remitted to the company.

A report was made to the police leading to Taylor’s arrest.