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A WARREN Park man, who was accused of stealing US$600 from his employer, has been convicted and sentenced to eight months in prison.
Pascar Hativagone (49), who pleaded not guilty on his initial appearance, was convicted after a full trial by Harare magistrate Shaine Kubonera.
Hativagone was found guilty of stealing US$600 from his employer, Sewer Tech Construction, represented by Trymore Marange.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, which were wholly suspended on condition he doesn’t commit a similar offence, in the next five years.
In delivering his judgment, magistrate Kubonera said through the evidence led by the State during trial, it was clear that he stole the money.
“Accused took US$600 that didn’t belong to him and denied the charge, it was proved that he sold 12 pipes worth US$600 and a receipt was issued to the customer but he didn’t surrender the money to the complainant.
“He took the money and pocketed it and it’s clear that he stole the money from the evidence led from the complainant, who testified that he’s responsible for the finances and he noticed that $600 had been receipted and the accused had taken it.
“He denied the offence and said he had been given authority by one of the directors, Joseph Chinyerere, whom he claimed said the money was part of his salary that was owed to him.
“Chinyerere was called to testify on the accused’s behalf and he confirmed that the money was supposed to be handed to the complainant before any salaries were given out showing that the money had been stolen hence the State managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
The court heard that in February this year, Hativagone served a customer, who bought 12 pipes, worth US$600.
He informed Moses Luwizhi, the company salesman, that the pipes had been delivered to the client but never remitted the money to the company.
This led to Hativagone’s arrest.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter