adminto their employer as well as perform 105 hours of community service for stealing medicines valued at US$16 000.
The sister-in-charge, Faith Ganagana (54), Erkenia Muvezwa (58), Mavis Sibanda and Laiza Chipfunhu (ages not given) who were facing theft charges were sentenced to 12 months in prison on Tuesday.
Three months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Magistrate Ms Jackie Munyonga further suspended six months on condition each of the accused persons restitute US$4 280 on or before December 31 this year.
The remaining three months were suspended on condition each of them performs 105 hours of community service.
In passing sentence, Ms Munyonga said the quartet committed a serious offence, which called for a stiffer penalty.
“Their moral blameworthiness is high, they stole from their employer and breached employer/employee relationship.
“They also benefited from the offence since nothing was recovered,” she said.
Prosecutor Mr Cephas Siriva had called for a penalty that fits both the offence and the offender.
Sometime between March and September last year, Ganagana, Muvezwa, Sibanda and Chipfunhu acting in connivance would receive medicine from suppliers on behalf of the medical centre.
An audit revealed that the four would issue out medicines to clients without giving them receipts and pocket the proceeds.
They would steal some of the drugs for resale before converting the money to their personal use.
The centre suffered a total prejudice of US$16 830.
Online Reporter