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Beitbridge Bureau
A Beitbridge-BASED Zimpapers vendor was yesterday jailed for 18 months after he failed to remit US$5 500 he realised from newspaper sales in the district.Emmanuel Maramwa of Dulibadzimu Township, denied the charge of theft when his trial opened before magistrate Gwineth Drawo, but was convicted on the strength of evidence provided by the State.
Maramwa, who was being represented by Mr Patrick Tererai of Tererai Legal Practice, was left with an effective nine months to serve after Ms Drawo conditionally suspended three months of the sentence for three years.
She also set aside a further six months on condition Maramwa restituted Zimpapers a total of US$5 537,38.
Prosecutor Mr Tawonga Musina told the court how, between May 2011 and 2012, Maramwa was engaged as a Zimpapers agent on condition that he would remit newspaper sales on a daily basis to the employer.
But during that period, Maramwa failed to remit US$5 537,38 which he converted to his own use. The offence 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 money by the end of last year, but since then he has been playing hide and seek.
This prompted Zimpapers to report him to the police.
Online Reporter