Unpaid work for thieving student

media houses from the Zimbabwe Media Commission where he was attached, has been ordered to perform 140 hours of community service.

Norman Wafawanaka (24), an accounting student at MSU was also found guilty of forging the signature of ZMC chief executive officer, Dr Tafataona Mahoso on a fake letter confirming his employment in a bid to open a bank account.

He committed the offences while on attachment at ZMC’s accounting department between April and May this year.
Wafawanaka was sentenced after pleading guilty to theft and forgery charges.

Harare magistrate, Ms Gamuchirai Sirwadi, initially sentenced Wafawanaka to 12 months in prison before three months were quashed on condition of good behaviour.
A further five months were suspended on condition Wafawanaka restitutes ZMC US$850 by end of August this year.

The remaining four months were wholly set aside for community service.
Wafawanaka starts working on June 27 at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

Asked why he committed the offence, Wafawanaka told the court that he wanted to raise fees for his studies and open a bank account.
Facts are that on April 13 this year, Wafawanaka receipted a carbon copy of US$3 000 to Eteno Seathers (Daagladet Newspapers).

Prosecutor, Ms Oxillia Mangwaira, heard that Wafawanaka went on to staple the original receipt at the back of the copy and cancelled the original receipt to appear as a mistake.
On May 17 this year, Wafawanaka again wrote a carbon copy of a US$150 instead of US$200 paid by The Mail and pocketed the US$50.

He wrote a receipt, serial number 651 of US$500 to Rismas Media Private Limited that was for registration.
He attached the receipt with an original receipt serial number 603, which was previously issued to Lopez Limon Maria Salome on 29 April 2011.

He then cancelled the original receipt 603 that he had attached to the copy to appear as the transaction was cancelled, the court was told.
On May 3 Wafawanaka forged Dr Mahoso’s signature in a letter, which was addressed to FBC bank.