Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
HARARE provincial magistrate Winfilder Tiyatara has slapped Hatipfeke Junk proprietor Jeff Nyamuchengwa with a 4-years-and-two-months jail term after she found him guilty of theft of trust property.
Nyamuchengwa (36) was however, spared jail after the magistrate suspended 36 months on condition that he repays the complainant, Justice Chembwa US$47 000.
The magistrate also suspended six months on condition of good behaviour and the remaining eight months were commuted to community service.
The court heard that on June 7, 2024 and at Kebab Car Sale, the complainant gave Nyamuchengwa US$12 920 cash for safekeeping.
The complainant gave the money to the accused person because he was once attacked by armed robbers at his home.
On June 2024, the complainant instructed Christine Ngoshi to give the accused person an additional US$34 118 for safekeeping again, giving a total of US$47 038 and no documentation was drawn up for the transaction.
The complainant was supposed to pick up his money from the accused on June 10, 2024.
On the said date, the complainant proceeded to the accused person’s office to collect the cash but failed to get his money.
The court heard that on June 13, 2024, the complainant got information that the accused person had attempted to commit suicide and he was hospitalised.
He then disappeared to an unknown address. The complainant reported the matter to the police and Nyamuchengwa was subsequently arrested.
