Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
DRAMA erupted at a Bulawayo mealie- meal company when a young loader stole US$300, then collapsed like a sack of maize after being confronted!
Tawanda Maxwell Chiwunda (23) of Pumula North has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for helping himself to the company’s cash. He pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Maxwell Ncube.
Four months of the sentence were suspended for five years, while the remaining eight months were set aside on condition that he pays back the money and completes 420 hours of community service.
Prosecutor Mehluli Ndlovu told the court that on 9 June 2025 at around 3PM, Chiwunda pocketed US$300 from a transaction at Bulateke mealie-meal company where he worked as a loader.
The company cashier, Thabani Nyoni, told the court that a regular customer had come in and paid US$290 for ten 50kg bags of mealie-meal. She later asked for change amounting to US$300.
Since he was balancing stock, Nyoni asked Chiwunda, who often dealt with the customer, to assist.
“I had already counted the money. Chiwunda gave her change and walked her out. But when I checked the money drawer, there was no cash,” said Nyoni.
He said when Chiwunda returned, he asked him about the money. That’s when the accused searched his pockets, mumbled something and dramatically fainted.
Nyoni quickly checked his pockets and pulled out US$130, made up of a single US$100 note and thirty US$1 notes.
Of the US$300 stolen, only US$130 was recovered. The rest, like Chiwunda’s dignity, vanished into thin air.
Now, the loader will be offloading community service hours instead of sacks of maize.
Bongani Ndlovu