Online Reporter
THERE are bad ideas, there are terrible ideas and then there is the kind of idea that earns you this week’s Mampara of the Week title.
Take a bow, Masciline Chihambakwe (27).
Employed as a cashier at Mukuru Money Transfers, Chireya Business Centre, in Gokwe, Chihambakwe had the simple job of safeguarding company money and ensure customers got paid.
Instead, she mistook the company’s cash float as an interest-free business loan.
After a routine spot check gave her the all-clear, Chihambakwe later received additional cash consignments totalling US$25 000 and R5 000 to facilitate customer transactions.
She, however, converted it for her personal use.
Now, you only have to be an imbecile to think that any self-respecting business, least of all Mukuru, will not have its finances audited.
As fate would have it, when another spot check was conducted on December 11, 2025, the numbers did not add up.
Naturally, a huge black hole was discovered.
For Chihambakwe, the game was up.
It got even more interesting after her arrest.
Investigators were reportedly led to a shop she had established using part of the stolen money.
Merchandise worth about US$2 500 was recovered — proving yet again that opening a business with someone else’s money is a business model with an exceptionally short lifespan.
The total prejudice amounted to US$15 795 and R4 300.
The Gokwe Magistrates’ Court convicted Chihambakwe and sentenced her to nine years in prison.
Six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining eight years and six months were suspended on condition she repays the stolen money in full.
Moral of the story?
If your business plan begins with “borrowing” your employer’s cash without asking, do not bother printing business cards.
You may soon be issued something else instead — a prison number.
For turning a money transfer office into what she seemingly believed was a venture capital fund, Masciline Chihambakwe is this week’s undisputed Mampara of the Week.
