Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A HARARE finance manager has appeared in court on charges of stealing over US$55 000 from his employer in what prosecutors described as a systematic fraud scheme that ran for several months.
Owen Chikonyora, who worked as finance manager at Spraytech Panel Beaters, was arraigned before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai facing 19 counts of theft.
He was released on US$300 bail.
The complainant in the case is Spraytech Panel Beaters, represented by its head of legal compliance and human capital, Mr Mutsanai Gareth Nyamakura.
Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that Chikonyora’s role gave him access to company funds as he was responsible for processing salaries and facilitating payments for goods and services.
He allegedly abused this trust by diverting money into his personal accounts.
To conceal the alleged fraud, Chikonyora is said to have manipulated financial records, disguising the transfers as legitimate salary payments or business transactions.
The offence came to light after an external audit by Topline Reign Solutions Chartered Accountants exposed discrepancies in the company’s books.
The audit revealed that Chikonyora had transferred a total of US$55 534.85 into his accounts.
Despite efforts by the company to recover the money, prosecutors told the court that nothing has been recovered to date.
