Tendai Gukutikwa
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE Criminal Investigations Department in Rusape has launched a manhunt for N Richards cashier, Tawanda Manzvinde (34), in connection with the theft of US$35 250 accrued by the wholesaler during Easter holiday – exposing lapses in internal controls and oversight by a local security company.
A reward of US$2 500 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Manzvinde, a fugitive suspected to have skipped the country.
Manzvinde, whose last known address was 3542 Magamba Extension, Rusape, is wanted for theft under Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
Manicaland police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed that investigations were underway, but declined to comment further, citing protocol restrictions due to the significant amount involved.
“You will need to speak with Commissioner Paul Nyathi on this matter, as I am not authorised to comment, given the amount involved,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Commissioner Nyathi was unavailable for comment, but sources privy to the investigation revealed that Manzvinde was a cashier at N-Richard Wholesalers in Rusape. His duties included collecting cash from till operators daily and handing it over to Fewcett Security Company for safekeeping, before ultimately submitting it to manager Mr Brian Mukwehwa for banking the following morning.
Allegations are that on April 16, 2025, around 6pm, Manzvinde collected US$13 217 from till operators. He would then contact Fawcett Security Company to collect the cash for safekeeping after writing a bank deposit slip.
However, instead of handing over the actual money, Manzvinde allegedly filled the cash box with cut bond paper, sealed it, and surrendered it to the security company, which accepted it without verifying its contents.
Manzvinde is accused of keeping the money for personal use.
It is further alleged that Manzvinde repeated the same modus operandi from April 17 to 21, 2025 collecting an additional US$22 033 from till operators and keeping it for himself.
“The accused person loaded the cash box with well-cut small pieces of bond paper, misconstrued as cash, and sealed the cash box. He then surrendered the cash box, laden with wards of bond paper, to Fawcett Security Company, who accepted it without verifying its contents. Manzvinde allegedly stole the money and kept it for his personal use.
“Manzvinde (allegedly) used the same tactic and collected a further US$22 033 from till operators between April 17 and 21, which he also kept for his personal use. The money was not banked since it was the Easter holiday,” said a source privy to the investigations.
The source said on April 22, 2025, Manzvinde failed to report for work at 8am, prompting his boss, Mr Mukwenha, to contact his wife – Mrs Rumbidzai Madondo (31).
Mrs Madondo allegedly professed ignorance on Manzvinde’s whereabouts, claiming she had not seen him since the previous day.
Mukwenha allegedly contacted Fawcett Security Company to collect the cash boxes for banking. However, when the security guards arrived and opened the sealed cash boxes in Mukwenha’s presence, they found them filled with neatly cut bond paper instead of cash.
Mukwenha subsequently reported the incident to Rusape Central Police Station, prompting a CID team to investigate the matter.
No arrests have been made, and the total stolen amount is US$35 250, and nothing was recovered.
The investigation is ongoing under CRB 6292029.
N Richards Wholesalers has offered a US$2 500 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Online Reporter