adminBeitbridge Bureau
A BEITBRIDGE-based Zimpapers vendor was yesterday jailed for 18 months after he failed to remit $5,500 from newspaper sales in the border town. Emmanuel Maramwa, of Dulibadzimu Township, denied theft when his trial opened before magistrate Gwineth Drawo but was convicted on the strength of evidence provided by the State.Maramwa, who was represented by Patrick Tererai, will serve an effective nine months after Drawo conditionally suspended three months of the sentence for three years.
The magistrate also set aside a further six months on condition Maramwa restitutes Zimpapers a total of $5,537,38.
Prosecuting, Tawonga Musina told how between May 2011 and 2012, Maramwa was engaged as a Zimpapers agent. Musina said during that period, Maramwa failed to remit $5,537,38 which he converted to his own use.
The issue came to light during monthly audits of his account.
The court further heard that following the discovery of the theft, Maramwa promised to pay back the missing money by the end of last year but since then he has been playing hide and seek prompting Zimpapers to take legal action.
Online Reporter