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Fidelis Munyoro
The Supreme Court has confirmed the conviction of former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) accountant Tapuwa Chidemo for pilfering over US$1 million from the revenue authority.
Chidemo was sentenced to six years in jail and had approached the superior court challenging both the conviction and sentence.
However, the court threw out his appeal due to lack of merit.
“The inescapable conclusion is that the appellant indeed electronically manipulated the Zimra payment system and siphoned funds meant for the Authority’s clients into his wife’s and company’s bank accounts,” ruled the court.
“The trial court’s reliance on circumstantial evidence cannot be faulted in this regard as the above-proven facts exclude every reasonable inference from them, save the one sought to be drawn.”
The trial court proved that Chidemo had sole access to the payment system and he was responsible for disbursing Value Added Tax refunds.
He diverted money into various individuals’ bank accounts before the funds were withdrawn and given to him.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter