Two ex-bus company managers jailed for forgery

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

TWO former depot managers at CAG Buses’ High Glen branch have each been sentenced to six months in prison for forging company receipt books.

Christopher Zongoro and Lawrence Chakanyuka were convicted after a full trial before Harare magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Manokore, who initially sentenced them to 12 months in jail, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The court heard from prosecutor Ms Grace Mugocheke that the two men were arrested last year following an internal investigation into irregularities at the depot.

The probe was prompted by the discovery of counterfeit receipt books being circulated among bus conductors.

During trial, Chakanyuka admitted to distributing the fake receipt books to conductors, while Zongoro denied direct involvement, claiming that Chakanyuka was solely responsible.

Despite Zongoro’s denials, magistrate Manokore ruled that there was clear intent to commit forgery, emphasising that both men exploited their positions of authority and trust to facilitate the crime.

In aggravation, Ms Mugocheke highlighted that the forgery was a premeditated and sophisticated scheme, designed to defraud the company.

Although the exact financial losses were difficult to quantify due to the concealment of the counterfeit documents, the company suffered significant monetary setbacks.

These included operational disruptions, such as unpaid worker wages and frequent bus breakdowns, which tarnished CAG’s reputation and eroded customer confidence.

The company was forced to implement an e-ticketing system as a safeguard against further fraud.

This transition required substantial investment in smartphones and printers for each conductor, further straining company finances.

In its victim impact statement, CAG described the far-reaching consequences of the forgery.

The scheme not only caused financial losses but also eroded trust within the company.

Strained industrial relations and unpaid wages exacerbated employee dissatisfaction, while the company’s reputation suffered among both workers and customers.

Adding to the complexity, both Zongoro and Chakanyuka were related to the company directors, creating tension within the directors’ families.