Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A MEGA Market Mutare employee who allegedly swindled the company of more than US$22 000 through fraudulent transactions has appeared in court facing theft charges.
Clive Chibvura (30), a debtors’ clerk at Mega Market, appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Honest Musiiwa, who granted him US$200 bail, and ordered him to report at the CID Mutare every fortnight until the matter is finalised.
Mr Talent Nyamuzuwe prosecuted.
Mr Nyamuzuwe said between January and April, Chibvura abused his position of trust by manipulating customer accounts and diverting funds meant for the company into fraudulent transactions using unsuspecting customers’ names.
“The accused was employed as a debtor’s clerk and his duties included monitoring customers’ accounts and managing their grievances. However, he took advantage of his position and orchestrated a fraudulent scheme that prejudiced his employer of US$22 432,” said Mr Nyamuzuwe.
According to the prosecution, on January 29, Mega Market received a bank transfer of US$11 729 from its customer, Norich, into the company’s Ecobank account.
Soon after the payment, Chibvura allegedly approached another customer, Mr Simbarashe Charamba, and lied to him that a client, who had made a transfer for maize bran had decided not to proceed with the purchase.
“Chibvura then asked Mr Charamba to assist by using his account to process the refund. Believing Chibvura’s story, Mr Charamba agreed and collected goods worth the same amount, US$11 729 on the understanding that he would pay the amount in cash within two weeks. The cash, he was told, would then be forwarded to the alleged client,” he said.
Mr Nyamuzuwe said Mr Chibvura went further to instruct his workmate, Ms Memory Jamali, also a debtors’ clerk, to receipt the payment under Mr Charamba’s name instead of Norich, the rightful depositor.
“The accused manipulated the company’s books by directing that the transaction be receipted under Mr Charamba’s account on receipt number 78890. Mr Charamba collected various goods and later handed the cash to the accused, who converted it to his own use,” said Mr Nyamuzuwe.
The same scheme allegedly played out again on April 7, when another client, NRM, transferred US$10 703 into Mega Market’s CABS account for maize bran purchases.
After confirming the deposit, Chibvura once again approached Mr Charamba and lied that the same client had changed his mind about the purchase and wanted a cash refund.
Having previously dealt with him, Mr Charamba trusted the accused and again allowed his account to be used.
“The accused repeated his deception, directing Ms Jamali to receipt the money in Mr Charamba’s name instead of NRM’s. Mr Charamba then collected goods worth US$10 703 and handed the money to the accused person,” explained Mr Nyamuzuwe.
The fraud went unnoticed for months until September 30, when Mega Market’s head of risk and internal audit, Mr Never Ndudzo, discovered anomalies while reviewing customer accounts.
Ndudzo noticed that Mr Charamba’s account reflected two significant bank transfers, despite the fact that he rarely used bank payments, preferring to transact in cash.
Upon closer inspection, a bank statement revealed that the deposits had actually been made by Norich and NRM, but were fraudulently receipted under Mr Charamba’s name.
Mr Nyamuzuwe said the internal audit triggered an immediate investigation, leading to Chibvura’s arrest.
“Following his arrest, the accused led detectives to the recovery of US$17 700, believed to be part of the stolen amount. When interviewed, Mr Charamba confirmed that he had been duped into believing that he was helping the company facilitate refunds for other clients.
He told investigators that he had collected goods worth US$22 432, and paid Chibvura in staggered instalments, unaware that the transactions were fraudulent.
Ms Jamali told the police that she had only followed instructions from Chibvura, who was responsible for managing the two accounts.
The prosecution noted that US$4 732 remains unaccounted for, and efforts are ongoing to recover the outstanding amount.
Mr Nyamuzuwe argued that Chibvura had betrayed the trust bestowed upon him by his employer and used his knowledge of the company’s financial systems to enrich himself at the expense of Mega Market.
