Former Pulse Medical Care Director Jailed for US...

Former Pulse Medical Care Director Jailed for US$65K Fraud

Munyaradzi Mashiri – Court Correspondent

The former managing director of Pulse Medical Care has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of defrauding his employer of US$65 000 through the misuse of company funds.

Initially handed a five-year prison term by Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, two years were suspended on condition of good behavior, leaving him with an effective sentence of three years. The trial was presided over by magistrate Clever Tsikwa.

Pulse Medical Care, a registered pharmaceutical wholesaler, was represented in court by its finance manager, Mr. Kunashe Sign Mukanganwi.

Prosecutor Tendai Shonhayi proved that in 2018, the accused, Tinashe Nyawo, was entitled to receive a company vehicle under the firm’s motor vehicle policy. Instead, he opted for a cash equivalent and used the funds to purchase a property—Flat C206, Mupfuure Court, Eastlea.

In 2020, Nyawo applied for a personal loan from Stanbic Bank to purchase a Toyota Fortuner. He approached Pulse Medical Care, claiming the loan was in RTGS currency while his salary was in USD.

He requested the company to service the loan on his behalf, with the understanding that equivalent deductions would be made from his monthly salary.

On June 7, 2021, Pulse Medical Care deposited RTGS 115,000 into Nyawo’s Stanbic Bank account and an additional US$18,820 into a ZIMRA account to cover customs duty for the vehicle.

A month later, Nyawo misled company staff, including the payroll officer and finance manager, by falsely claiming the Toyota Fortuner was a company asset. He instructed them to insure the vehicle comprehensively and add it to the company’s asset register.

This misrepresentation prevented the agreed salary deductions and shifted the cost of insurance and vehicle maintenance to the company.

Following his dismissal in October 2023, Nyawo refused to surrender the Toyota Fortuner. In a letter to the company, he claimed the vehicle was his personal property, not a company asset.

This prompted an internal investigation, which revealed the full extent of his deceit.

Pulse Medical Care ultimately suffered a financial loss of US$65,064—comprising US$18,820 paid to ZIMRA, and RTGS 9,585,079.77 (equivalent to US$46,244 at the official exchange rate) used for the vehicle’s purchase, servicing, and insurance.

Nyawo’s actions not only caused substantial financial prejudice to the company but also represented a serious breach of trust in his role as head of the organisation.