STICKY FINGERS SPAR WORKER BUSTED: Tills his own pockets with US$400

Kimberley Chitambara

A GWABALANDA man who thought he could cash in on his employer’s trust has been slapped with a 12-month jail term after stealing US$400 from the supermarket tills he was meant to protect.

Thulani Ndlovu (39), a till operator at Bonsa Spar, was busted after pocketing the loot and later appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube facing theft of trust property charges.

The court heard that on September 20, Ndlovu dipped into the cash register, snatched US$400, and converted it to his own use.

Prosecutor Mehluli Ndlovu told the court that the theft cut deep because it was an employee betraying his boss.
“The offence involved an employer and employee, where trust was expected but was violated. The degree of moral blameworthiness is high,” said the prosecutor.

He said cases of workers stealing from bosses are now rampant and must be dealt with firmly.
“The money was not recovered. The accused benefited from the offence,” he added.

The court, however, considered that Ndlovu was a first-time offender who admitted to the crime and apologised, promising to pay back the stolen money.

Magistrate Ncube sentenced him to 12 months in prison. Three months were suspended on condition he pays back the US$400 to his boss, Francis Elias Tembo (46), of Mahatshula North.

Another three months were set aside on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining six months were replaced with 210 hours of community service.

From the missing cash, not a single dollar was recovered, leaving Tembo counting his losses while Ndlovu prepares to work off his debt under the watchful eye of the law.