Online Reporter
Peter Matika, peter.matika.chronicle.co.zw
A FORMER Zimpapers employee, who abused her role as a sales representative, has been sentenced to eight months in prison for deceiving clients and failing to remit funds to the company.
Maggie Tshuma’s illicit actions came to light when it was discovered that she had been misappropriating funds valued at US$750, intended for the company and using them for personal gain, resulting in financial loss for Zimpapers.
Bulawayo Magistrate, Mr Challenge Mahembe, found her guilty of two counts of theft, before commuting her sentence.
Mr Mahembe, however, wholly suspended the sentence on condition she pays a fine of US$500 by close of business on Tuesday (yesterday) or be committed to a sentence of community service.
The magistrate commuted Tshuma to the sentence on the consideration that she is a first-time offender and also took into consideration that the courts take pity on women.
According to the State’s case as presented by Mr Joseph Rugara, Tshuma would use her position as a sales representative to secure adverts and collect remuneration on behalf of the company.
He said, Tshuma, however, stole from Zimpapers after she, on the first count, failed to remit US$500 she had collected from a client.
Tshuma, it was revealed in court that she only submitted US$1, claiming that a client had only paid the figure for an advert. It was also stated that for the balance of US$250, Tshuma also remitted US$1 under the same pretext.
Mr Rugara said the matter only came to light when Zimpapers’ business development manager, Mr Martin Sibanda, discovered discrepancies in the financial books, before reporting the matter.
“She altered the receipts and admitted to the crime,” he said.
It was, however, stated by Mr Rugara that Tshuma claimed that she acted under duress, being inflicted by Mr Sibanda.
“She claimed that she was instructed by the company representative, Martin Sibanda, who told her that she would be fired if she did not alter the receipts. She claimed that she received threats for months concerning the issue,” said Mr Rugara.
Presiding, Mr Mahembe said the court took into consideration her claims, which she, however, failed to prove.
“She claimed that she was under duress from the complainant but failed to provide evidence. The court took into consideration that the person whom she accused was the complainant and that he would not have filed a report knowing that he was at fault,” said Mr Mahembe.
He said out of the disputed US$750, Tshuma only remitted US$2.
“In light of the evidence provided by the defence, it is evident and indisputable that you committed the offence. You did not remit the funds collected on behalf of Zimpapers. From your testimony, we also deduced you were not under duress,” said Mr Mahembe.
He said Tshuma was found to be lying because the country is under a constitutional democracy, and that she was at liberty to report any form of abuse to the police or authorities.
Mr Mahembe said that since she did not waste the court’s time and pleaded guilty, she was eligible for an option of a fine or community service.
“If you fail to pay within the stipulated time, the court will not grant you any option for an exception for time to pay,” said Mr Mahembe.
She was ordered to return the money by the end of November this year.
