HOSPITAL HUSTLE EXPOSED: Banket staff jailed for looting patient funds

B-Metro Reporter

THREE trusted hospital workers have been locked up after they pulled off a US$19 000 inside job that robbed patients of vital healthcare funds.

James Koroni (56), Marlon Kaguda (37) and Lackson Dzeka (55), all employed at Banket District Hospital, were convicted by the Banket Magistrates’ Court for theft of trust property.
Between 27 December 2024 and 17 March 2025, the men allegedly collected daily cash from the hospital’s Outpatients Department but decided to bank it somewhere else — their own pockets!

“They received daily cash revenue from the hospital’s Outpatients Department but failed to deposit the funds into the hospital’s official bank account. Instead, they falsely recorded entries in the cash book indicating that the money had been banked,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) in a statement.

The scheme crumbled when a routine records check revealed that the books weren’t adding up. A full audit by the Ministry of Health and Child Care confirmed the ugly truth that US$19 000 had vanished without a trace.
“None of the stolen funds were recovered,” the NPAZ revealed.

Justice was swift. The three were each sentenced to 36 months in prison, with 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, meaning they will each serve two years behind bars.

The NPAZ condemned the betrayal of public trust, stressing that corruption in essential services like healthcare cannot be tolerated.

“Accountability in the handling of public resources should be upheld, particularly funds intended for essential services such as healthcare,” the statement read.
For the crooked clerks, the only records they’ll be keeping now are in prison!