A former security guard has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison after stealing US$160,000 from his employer's safe using duplicated keys.
Ishmael Stanley Chakombera (38) of Mudzi was convicted by the Harare Magistrates' Court of unlawful entry and theft.
He was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour and a further four years suspended on condition that he pays US$35,000 in restitution by August 30, 2026, leaving an effective three-year jail term.
The court heard that in March 2025, while employed by Valiage Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd as a security guard, Chakombera stole the company's office and safe keys, duplicated them, and later used the copies to gain access to the safe, from which he stole US$160,000.
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After the theft, he resigned without notice and disappeared.
The missing money was discovered in April 2025 when company officials opened the safe and found the cash gone. As there were no signs of forced entry, the company reported the matter to the police.
Investigations revealed that Chakombera had used part of the stolen money to buy a house in Budiriro 4 and build a homestead in Mudzi, where he drilled a borehole and installed a solar power system.
Police said he admitted to the theft and disclosed that he had also purchased a UD P92 truck, a Nissan AD Van, a tricycle and other assets with the proceeds.
Authorities recovered property worth about US$125,000, together with the stolen office and safe keys.
In passing sentence, the magistrate noted the seriousness of the offence but suspended part of the prison term on condition of good behaviour and restitution to the complainant.
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