Online ReporterZvikomborero Parafini
TWO former Mashwede Holdings employees, who stole fuel coupons worth over US$16 000, were yesterday convicted of theft of trust of property.
Edson Mashamhanda and Ernest Nevanji Madanhire were convicted by Harare magistrate, Evelyn Mashavakure, after a full trial.
The two were remanded to today for sentencing.
The complainant in the matter is Mashwede Holdings, represented by its finance director, Tapiwa Mashamhanda.
In delivering her judgment, magistrate Mashavirakure said the State managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“It’s not in dispute that they received coupons with serial numbers ranging from 42001-44000.
“The first accused recorded only 17000 litres worth of fuel coupons and the rest weren’t accounted for.
“Second accused admitted that he was given US$6 900, which he failed to render to the company, and he gave conflicting statements. At one go he said he gave first accused the money and to the police he said he gave it to Tendai Mashamhanda,” she said in parts of her judgment.
On April 4, 2020, an armed robbery was staged at the Mashwede premises where money, as well as fuel coupons, were stolen.
The duo took advantage and reported that 23 000 litres worth of coupons had been stolen.
Mashwede Holdings carried out a stock take which revealed that Edson had coupons worth 11 240 litres in his custody and they blocked and notified fuel attendants to reject the coupons in question.
The offence came to light when a client, David Clinton, went to a Mashwede Service Station to redeem fuel coupons purchased from Madanhire on March 24, well before the robbery.
An audit was conducted and the company lost US$16 850 in coupons
Moses Mapanga appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge