Manager up for US$100K theft

A HARARE man employed as a manager at a Bulawayo company appeared in court yesterday for allegedly defrauding his employer of over US$100 000 when he diverted funds that he was supposed to deposit into the company account.

Dickson Billiat (45), a depot manager at Ardent Mega Supplies (Pvt) Ltd, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla facing five counts of theft of trust property. He was denied bail and remanded in custody to October 21.

Billiat committed the offence on different occasions.

The prosecutor, Ms Tarisai Mutarisi said between August 2 and 6 this year, Billiat was entrusted by his employer to collect cash from Native Foods (Pvt) Ltd in Bulawayo and deposit it into its account.

The court heard that Billiat allegedly collected US$59 503,61 from Native Foods and deposited only US$34 503,61 into his employer’s account before pocketing US$26 600.

The company’s representative made a follow-up and he discovered that the client had paid up all the money to the accused.

“On the second occasion, between August 5 and 8 this year, the accused was entrusted by the company to collect cash from New Life Foods in Bulawayo and deposit it into the company account. He then collected a total of US$55 500 from New Life and deposited only US$47 000 and converted the remaining $8 500 to his own use,” said Ms Mutarisi.

The alleged offence was discovered when the company representative, Mr Sabastian Dzingira made a follow-up with New Life Foods and he discovered that the client had paid up all the money to the accused.

The court heard that on the third occasion during the same month, Billiat collected US$60 000 from Power Foods in Bulawayo and deposited only US$45 000 into the company account before converting the remainder to his own use.

“The company representative then made a follow up with Power Foods and he discovered that the client had paid up all the money and the accused stole US$15 000 and nothing has been recovered so far,” said Ms Mutarisi.

During the same time, Billiat collected US$60 000 cash from Honey Grain (Pvt) Ltd on behalf of his employer and deposited only US$45 000 into the company account before converting the remainder to his own use.

“The company’s representative made a follow up with Honey Grain Foods (Pvt) Ltd and he discovered that the client had paid up all the money to the accused. The total amount stolen by the accused is $15 000 and nothing has been recovered so far,” said Ms Mutarisi.

The court heard that the accused collected US$67 000 from Utano (Pvt) Ltd and deposited only US$29 000 into the company account before pocketing US$38 000.

The matter again came to light when the representative made a follow up with Utano Foods and he discovered that the client had paid up all the money to the accused.

The total amount that Billiat stole is US$103 100 and nothing was recovered.

Upon investigations, the company found the accused in possession of stolen goods including a radio and bank statements raising suspicions that deposits were made.

A report was made to the police leading to Billiat’s arrest.