Loans officer steals from employer

Luthando Mapepa
A 25-YEAR-OLD Chimanimani man employed by Tottengram Financial Services as a loan officer was on Tuesday dragged before Chipinge Magistrates’ Court facing charges of stealing $1 236 from his employer.

Dakarai Karidza of Chirongwe Village under Chief Muusha in Chimanimani pleaded guilty when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira.

The State led by Mr Themba Dhliwayo said from April 2014 to June 2015, Karidza was employed by Tottengram Financial Services as a loan officer stationed at Nyanyadzi branch and his duties included processing papers and lending money to clients.

“On April 27, 2015 during the course of his duties, Karidza received $2 000 from Tottengram Financial Service in Harare through CABS. The money was to be loaned out to clients on a 15 percent interest per month.

“Karidza took $244-76 from the total amount and converted it to his personal use,” he said.

Mr Dhliwayo said the matter came to light on June 3, 2015 when a team of internal auditors comprising Michelle Matanhire and Maggie Zvina audited the company’s books.

“The auditors discovered a shortfall of $244-76. The accused failed to account for the money and the auditors also retrieved the CABS bank statement.

“It was also proved that the accused had also hatched a plan to access the information from loan agreement forms of regular clients who had serviced or paid up their loans and used the information to complete fresh loan agreement forms.

“After completing the fake forms, Karidza appended his signature on the debtor signature portion and amended his records to appear as if the clients had reapplied for a loan. The accused took different amounts and converted them into his own use,” said Mr Dhliwayo.

In mitigation, Karidza said he wanted to cover up for his previous shortfalls.

He further told the court that he intended to provide for his family since was the only breadwinner.

“Your Worship, I wanted to cover up for the previous shortfalls. Some of the money was stolen and I had to repay it. I am also the sole breadwinner so I wanted to provide for my family,” Karidza said.

Mr Gwezhira adjourned the matter to Friday for sentence.