Mthabisi Tshuma
A FORMER Plumtree District Hospital nurse who resigned before disciplinary action could be taken against her has been convicted of fraud after duping a man of US$500 in a bogus EcoCash transaction.
Eustina Tshuma (32) promised to transfer ZiG17 000 from her EcoCash wallet in exchange for US$500 cash, despite knowing that she did not have the money.
She pocketed the cash but failed to honour the deal.
Tshuma appeared before Plumtree magistrate Makono Benjamin, who sentenced her to 10 months in prison.
Prosecuting, Polite Ndlovu told the court that Tshuma had misrepresented to the complainant, Tinashe Chikwava, that she had ZiG17 000 in her EcoCash wallet and could transfer the money immediately in exchange for US$500 cash.
The court heard that Chikwava handed over the money after believing the representation, but no EcoCash transfer was made.
Of the US$500 taken, only US$200 was recovered, leaving Tshuma owing the complainant US$300.
She was sentenced to 10 months in prison, of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that she does not, during that period, commit any offence involving dishonesty.
The remaining four months were suspended on condition that she restitutes Chikwava US$300 through the Clerk of Court.
“The complainant approached the accused person asking for cash US$500and she told the accused person that she had ZWG17 000in her EcoCash and she was to send it to him. She knew she did not have that kind of money.
“The complainant, acting on that misrepresentation, gave the accused person US$500 cash and no EcoCash was sent by the accused person,” the State said.
The court heard that Chikwava made several attempts to recover his money from Tshuma, but these were unsuccessful, prompting him to report the matter to the police.
“The complainant made efforts to recover his money with no luck. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person,” said Ndlovu.
