Three company directors in court for $393 000 theft

Court Reporter
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested three directors of an explosives dealing company for allegedly stealing more than $393 000 and R243 000 from their employer.The court was told that the three, who were in the company of a fourth accomplice, Peace Phiri, who is still at large, went on a shopping spree buying cars and houses using the money allegedly stolen between February 2011 and June this year.

Edward Mwanza (57), who was a magazine master, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Sikhumbuzo Nyathi on Friday while the co-accused Oliver Tatiwa (30), who was finance director and Leonard Beans (45) (operations director), appeared separately before

Bulawayo provincial magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove.
They are all facing charges of theft of trust property.

Mwanza, of Plot 58 Worringham pleaded guilty to the charge and offered a house in Rangemore, Number 33 Leander Park valued at $12 500 and two cars which he allegedly bought using the money as compensation.

He was remanded out of custody on his own cognisance so that he could facilitate transfer of the said property to the complainant, Mr Jackson Saungweme, the owner of Wiltshire Explosives, located at Number 5 Barbour Avenue, Parkview.
Mwanza was given strict bail conditions, which include surrendering travel documents to the Clerk of Court, reporting to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Frauds daily and to remain within 30km radius of Bulawayo pending finalisation of the case.
He will be sentenced on Friday.

Tatiwa’s address was given as 1964 Mahatshula North while Beans resides at 14251 Selbourne Park.
The two were denied bail on the grounds that there were fears they could dispose of a number of properties they are alleged to have acquired using the stolen money.

In his testimony, Mr Saungweme told the court that Tatiwa built a four-bedroomed house worth $120 000 within four months in Mahatshula North and also bought two cars.

He said Beans’s house was under construction and was at window level in Selborne Park. Its value has been put at $80 000.
Allegations levelled against Mwanza, Tatiwa and Beans are that between February 2011 and June this year, they allegedly sold explosives and converted part of the money to their own use.

The court was told that they allegedly used two separate receipt and invoice books.
It is alleged that goods entered into one of the receipt books would be entered into the company’s books while the second one was kept a secret until the matter was discovered following an audit.

A total of $393 192,53 and R243 129,29 was allegedly stolen.
Mr Tinashe Dzipe is representing the State.