Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A former finance assistant has appeared in court facing fraud and money laundering charges involving more than US$210 000 allegedly misappropriated from two organisations.
Nolan Burungudzi (32) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa, charged with three counts of fraud and one count of money laundering.
He was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for today.
On the first fraud count, the complainant is the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, represented by its Security and Liaison Officer, Mr Jese Chigaveni.
The State alleges that on August 15, 2023, Burungudzi forged Mr Jefter Makumbindi’s signature on a Zimbabwe Red Cross Society per diem claim form, falsely indicating that Mr Makumbindi had received an allowance of US$80.
It is further alleged that on November 30, 2023, Burungudzi repeated the offence by forging Mr Makumbindi’s signature on another per diem claim form and fraudulently claiming another US$80.
The matter was reportedly discovered in early January 2024. Following the discovery, Burungudzi allegedly stopped reporting for duty.
He was later contacted and reimbursed the money.
On the second count of fraud, the complainant is SRH Africa Trust, represented by Operations Manager Ms Hamida Mauto.
Prosecutors allege that Burungudzi’s duties included administering the organisation’s finances.
The court heard that during the first week of April 2026, SRH Africa Trust held a workshop at Manna Resort in Glen Lorne, Harare, for which a payment of US$7 206 was authorised. Burungudzi was allegedly tasked with processing the payment.
During the workshop, Ms Mauto reportedly reviewed the guest list and noticed that it contained more names than those who had actually attended.
She then requested the workshop documentation and allegedly discovered that they were supposed to have paid only US$5 206, despite US$7 206 having been authorised, leaving an unexplained variance of US$2 000.
When confronted, Burungudzi allegedly transferred the US$2 000 back to the organisation.
The court heard that an internal audit was subsequently conducted, revealing that Burungudzi had allegedly duplicated legitimate beneficiary and supplier profiles within the organisation’s banking system.
It is alleged that while retaining the names of genuine beneficiaries, he altered the banking details and replaced them with those linked to his personal First Capital Bank account.
As a result, funds intended for suppliers were reportedly being redirected into Burungudzi’s account.
Investigations allegedly established that approximately US$210 000 meant for suppliers and organisational activities was diverted through this.
A search on Burungudzi’s laptop allegedly uncovered a ZIFA Mashonaland East enrolment form, which investigators say showed that he was using the organisation’s identity as a sponsor without executive authorisation.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.
The total prejudice on this count is US$210 000 and nothing has been recovered.
On the money laundering charge, the State alleges that after obtaining funds through fraudulent means, Burungudzi sought to conceal their illicit origin by acquiring various assets and properties.
Prosecutors allege that Burungudzi failed to disclose the whereabouts of the funds and the properties allegedly acquired using the proceeds of the crime.
