Former stores supervisor sentenced to 8 years for defrauding employer of over $237,000

Danisa Masuku

A former Arenel store supervisor in Bulawayo was sentenced to eight years in prison for defrauding his employer of over US$237 000.

Evans Tasara Gwemende (34) from Sizinda suburb appeared before regional magistrate Mathew Mutiro facing a fraud charge.

He pleaded not guilty. He was however, convicted after a full trial and sentenced to eight years in jail of which two years were suspended on condition that he restitutes the company US$237 096 being the amount of money defrauded.

Gwemende will effectively serve six years in jail.

The magistrate, in convicting Gwemende, highlighted the meticulous and long-term planning behind the elaborate fraud.

The court noted that after defrauding the company of the funds he stopped coming to work until the matter was reported to the police.

The magistrate added that Gwemende possessed a private ledger used to falsify financial records presented to the management.

The court heard that on 19 March this year the company carried out an internal audit. The audit uncovered inconsistencies as the company books would not balance, a discrepancy that sparked suspicion.

The audit further revealed that Gwemende had manipulated the raw materials figures book, inflating their usage despite no actual consumption.

Following that, company authorities reported the matter to the police.

Criminal investigators from the Commercial Crimes Division (CCD) carried out investigations, and arressted Gwemende despite spirited attempts to cover his tracks and evade arrest.