Published by the government of Zimbabwe
13 November 2009
Harare — Former Zimbabwe Trust finance manager Collen Makufa has been slapped with an effective one-year jail term for swindling the organisation of more than US$45 000 through fake advance payments, and he will serve another two years if he does not pay back the cash.
Makufa (31) had pleaded not guilty to fraud charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire, but was convicted on the back of overwhelming evidence after a fully contested trial.
Mr Nemadire sentenced him to four years imprisonment, but suspended one year on condition of good behaviour while the other two years were suspended on condition he gives back US$46 891, 53 to Zimtrust before February 28, 2010.
In passing sentence, Mr Nemadire considered that Makufa was a first offender, the sole breadwinner of his family and had offered to restitute the complainant.
He also considered submissions by prosecutor, Mr Michael Reza, that Makufa had committed a serious offence that is now prevalent and should be slapped with a deterrent sentence.
Mr Nemadire also said he had considered State submissions that Makufa endeavoured to tarnish Ms Victoria Chitepo's image by involving her in his scam.
"The State implored the court to pass a custodial sentence, saying the accused had stolen out of greed and not need. He was gainfully employed earning US$2 000 a month," he said.
He said the court needed to strike a balance between the interest of the accused person and that of justice.
The magistrate said the determination shown in committing the crime was a compelling reason for a custodial sentence.
During the period between 2004 and 2008, Makufa was employed by the trust as a finance manager.
His duties, among others, involved the controlling and safekeeping of trust funds.
During that period Makufa misrepresented to Barclays Bank's transfers department that Zimtrust -- represented by Ms Chitepo and a Dr Chitsike -- had authorised the transfer of funds from the trust account to his personal CBZ account.
He claimed that it was his salary advance and as a result prejudiced the trust of US$46 891, 53.
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