Harare — A dishonest dealer foiled an attempt by a CABS teller accused of stealing almost US$53 000 to play the currency markets, make a profit and return the cash to the building society before anyone knew it was missing.

Zvikomborero Giles Bvuma (27) allegedly stole US$52 764 from the safe at 5pm on Friday last week, rushed to Roadport and switched the cash to rands intending to arbitrage the cross-rates.

He intended, once he had converted back to US dollars at a profit, to put the US$52 764 back in the safe and keep his profit. But he was robbed at Roadport and lost the lot. The dishonest dealer who took the cash still has it.

On Monday the internal auditors found the cash was missing. Bvuma was questioned and said that a customer called Tinotenda Marimo had withdrawn themissing money, a court was told yesterday.

Bvuma then phoned his friend Taurai Chitsinde (27) at CABS head office in Northridge and asked him to fake a deposit of US$52 764 into Marimo's account as a way of covering up the theft.

Chitsinde, the court heard, made the false entry but auditors later visited the head office and uncovered the false transaction.

Bvuma and Chitsinde were arrested and appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Steven Musona, Bvuma on theft charges and Chitsinde on fraud charges.

They were both remanded out of custody to November 16 on US$100 bail with the usual conditions.

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