Plumtree Manager nabbed for allegedly embezzling o...

Plumtree Manager nabbed for allegedly embezzling over R600,000

Zim Now Writer

A 42-year-old man, Sipho Ndlovu, who held the position of manager at Lingwale Enterprises in Plumtree, has been arrested and brought before the courts on allegations of embezzling a substantial amount exceeding R600,000 from the company.

Ndlovu appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware, facing two counts of theft amounting to R621,935.45. The magistrate remanded the case to today for further proceedings.

The court heard details of the alleged fraudulent activities, which reportedly occurred between May of last year and February 14th of this year. During this period, Ndlovu was entrusted with receiving daily takings from tellers, a process he acknowledged by signing receipts. His responsibility was allegedly to deposit this money into the company safe.

Further investigations revealed discrepancies in electricity purchases. On September 12, 2024, Ndlovu allegedly recorded a US$100 electricity purchase in company records and communicated this purchase via WhatsApp to Mandla Donga. However, a ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority) printout indicated that only US$78 worth of electricity units were bought on that day.

A similar pattern allegedly occurred on September 29, 2024, where Ndlovu recorded a US$170 electricity purchase, while ZESA records showed a purchase of only US$80.

The court also heard allegations of mishandled employee payments. On September 30, Ndlovu was reportedly meant to pay employees R3,149 but failed to do so. Additionally, on October 24, 2024, he allegedly received R15,750 through mobile money transfer, which he could not account for.

The alleged fraudulent activities extended to further discrepancies in electricity token purchases. On December 1, 2024, company records indicated a US$150 electricity token purchase, while it is alleged that only US$100 worth of power was bought. Similarly, on December 12, 2024, Ndlovu allegedly recorded a US$120 electricity purchase after only buying US$98 worth of power. The prosecution alleges that Ndlovu employed this same modus operandi to misappropriate US$143.

The alleged theft came to light in February this year when Mandla Donga inquired with Ndlovu about the missing funds, leading to Ndlovu's resignation on February 14th. Subsequently, on March 13th, Donga opened the company safe and discovered a shortfall, finding only R7,000 and US$50.

Following these discoveries, the company engaged auditors to determine the total amount of unaccounted funds, which was established to be R621,935.45. The court was informed that no recoveries have been made.