Former Mukuru employee Tinotenda Zephania Gunde is in court facing theft charges after allegedly stealing US$19,536, R39,430, and Samsung cellphones from a Mukuru branch in Filabusi.
Gunde, who had recently resigned, is accused of collaborating with three others in the theft.
The incident came to light on December 14, 2023, when an employee of Talen Vision, the location of the Mukuru outlet, arrived at the shop to find the back door and the door leading to Mukuru’s safe room open. The manager at Mukuru was notified, leading to the discovery that the safe had been opened and a substantial amount of money stolen, leaving only US$2000 behind.
The theft was promptly reported to the police, and subsequent investigations led to Gunde’s arrest. Gunde cooperated with the authorities, leading them to the DDF Training Centre camp in Gwanda, where he had hidden the stolen money. Only US$500, R1,600, and a Samsung Galaxy A13 cellphone were recovered.
Gunde appeared before Sukoluhle Belinda Nunu at the Filabusi Magistrate Court on December 16, 2023, and was remanded in custody after his bail application was dismissed. His next court appearance is on December 29, 2023, where his trial is expected to commence.
According to the prosecutor, Naledi Muleya, Gunde unlawfully entered the Talen Vision premises and stole cash and valuables on December 13, 2023. Muleya highlighted that Gunde took advantage of the absence of people at the shop, as it had been secured for the night.
“On the same day and during night the accused took advantage of the knowledge of the premises as well as the knowledge of the secret codes used to open the safe and proceeded to Talen Vision shop as outlined in count one and gained entry,” said Muleya.
The stolen items included cash in various denominations, three cellphones – a Samsung Galaxy A13, Samsung Galaxy A02, and a Lenovo M10 tablet. Although the recovered cash amounted to U$2000, the investigation is continuing.
Source iHarare
