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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
A FARM and City manager and two cashiers stationed at the company’s Chipinge branch were last week dragged to court for allegedly conniving to steal from their employer by changing the value of products.
They would then buy the products at lower prices and later sell them at a mark-up.
Danai Gambara (31), the branch manager, together with his two colleagues, Tobias Garavata (26) and Gonzalo Ruke (26) appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi facing fraud charges. They all pleaded not guilty.
Appearing for the State, Mr Gifit Bikita, said during the period extending from July 2020 to January 8, 2021 and at Farm and City, the three accused persons connived to steal from their employer.
“In their capacity as employees with the ability to effect price changes in the pricing system, the three accused persons on different occasions manipulated the system by reducing certain items which they would later purchase. They would buy the products at a lower price to the prejudice of the company. The offence was discovered by the area manager from Mutare and an auditor from Harare.
“A spot check was made at the accused person’s workplace and it was discovered that the company had lost $507 937. A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused persons,” said Mr Bikita.
Mrs Hanzi granted the three accused persons $10 000 bail and the matter was adjourned to February 15.
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