Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
HARARE Magistrate Mr Tapiwa Banda has slapped two security guards who worked at Mahommad Mussa Wholesalers with a five-year jail term after convicting them of stealing US$195 000 from their employer
Jeremiah Kwenda and Phineas Moyo were initially sentenced to five years in jail each, before two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Another 18 months were suspended on the condition of restitution.
The pair will serve 16 months each, effective.
It was the State’s case that on December 21, at around 5 pm, the two were on duty as security guards at Mohammed Mussa Wholesalers.
The court heard that the two helped one Chamunorwa Muvhuti to hide in the shop for him to steal cash while other workers went home after duty.
It was alleged that Muvhuti used a sharp metal object to dislodge a black portable safe, which was mounted on the wall that contained US$195 000.
The following day, the complainant discovered the offence and made a police report.
On Christmas Day last year, detectives arrested Muvhuti in Mupande Village, Chief Chitsungo, Pfungwe, where he had gone to pay lobola.
The court heard that Muvhuti led police to the recovery of US$186 100 and implicated Kwenda and Moyo as his accomplices.
The detectives also recovered some of the stolen money.
