Albina Mutiza’s sales skills were undeniably impressive. She managed to swindle her employer, Priddles Investments (Pvt) Ltd, out of a staggering US$27,375.36. One has to wonder, what’s the secret to selling that much nonexistent merchandise?
As a sales representative at Shop F4B in the Gulf Complex, Mutiza had access to the kind of financial information that would make any accountant jealous. She allegedly cooked the books, cleverly hiding the discrepancy until her employer hired an auditor, Mr. Kanyoka from Preak Enterprises, to review the accounting records.
The audit revealed a discrepancy of US$27,375.36. One can only imagine the surprise on Mutiza’s face when she realized she’d been caught. But she didn’t panic. Oh no, she waited until she’d completed her shift, printed the daily sales report, and surrendered a paltry US$1,075 to her employer. Then, in a bold move, she snuck back into the shop and sold accessories worth US$335.
When her employer confronted her about the discrepancy, Mutiza pulled out the US$335 from her jeans like a magician producing a rabbit from a hat. “Ta-da!” she seemed to say. The employer wasn’t buying it, and neither did the court. Her bail application was denied, and she’s now facing the music.
The police search of her residence in Budiriro yielded some interesting results – ICT accessories worth US$902 belonging to the complainant. Coincidence? We think not. Of the total amount allegedly stolen, US$1,237 has been recovered. A drop in the bucket, perhaps, but it’s a start.
Mutiza’s sales career may be over, but her court case is just heating up. Will she manage to sell the judge on her innocence?
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