A Gokwe court has sentenced a Mukuru Money Transfer cashier to an effective prison term after she diverted thousands of dollars meant for customer payouts into personal use.
The theft was uncovered during a routine spot check at the Mukuru branch at Chireya Business Centre.
Masciline Chihambakwe, 27, was found guilty of misappropriating company funds entrusted to her for customer cash disbursements.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining eight years and six months were suspended on condition that she immediately restitutes Send Money Home (Pvt) Ltd with US$15,795 and R4,300.
The court heard that between November 28 and December 11, 2025, Chihambakwe was responsible for managing the branch's cash float and received additional cash consignments delivered by Safeguard Security Company to facilitate Mukuru transactions.
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A routine spot check on November 28 confirmed that the branch held a cash float of US$8,599 and R4,300. She later received additional consignments amounting to US$25,000 and R5,000 for customer disbursements.
Instead of using the funds for their intended purpose, she diverted part of the money for personal use, resulting in a significant cash shortfall.
A follow-up inspection by the company's Midlands Regional Manager on December 11 uncovered the discrepancy, triggering an internal investigation that led to her arrest.
Police investigations later led officers to a shop Chihambakwe had opened at Chireya Business Centre using part of the stolen money. Merchandise valued at approximately US$2,500 was recovered from the premises.
The court heard that Send Money Home (Pvt) Ltd suffered an actual loss of US$15,795 and R4,300.
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