Woman gets 15-month jail term for defrauding pharmacy

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A WOMAN who was accused of defrauding a city pharmacy of more than $73 150 after she diverted the money meant to pay suppliers to her own use was on Tuesday convicted for the theft of $6 800.

A WOMAN who was accused of defrauding a city pharmacy of more than $73 150 after she diverted the money meant to pay suppliers to her own use was on Tuesday convicted for the theft of $6 800.

SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

Nodumo S’tandazile Mpande (24) had denied the fraud charge when she appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Singandu Jele, but was convicted after a full trial.

At the close of the State’s case, the magistrate convicted her of defrauding the pharmacy of $6 800 and sentenced her to 15 months in jail, which was wholly suspended on condition she pays back the money she stole.

Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that sometime between January 1 2013 and September 25 2014, Mpande was employed by Supermed Pharmacy, situated at between 8th and 9th avenues, along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street in Bulawayo.

She received $73 154,63 on different occasions from Supermed Pharmacy, which is being represented by Lorraine Hadebe, after it was agreed that she was supposed to deposit the money into different company accounts.

Companies had supplied the pharmacy with drugs on credit.

It is the State case that instead, Mpande unlawfully converted the whole amount to her own use.

The offence came to light when one of their suppliers contacted the pharmacy demanding its money, which had been already given to Mpande to pay.

The pharmacy then made a report to the police, leading to Mpande’s arrest.

A search conducted by the police at Mpande’s house resulted in the recovery of signed invoices showing that a payment of $20 904,60 was made to one supplier, while another showed that another company was paid $290.

A number of invoices, which had no signatures, were recovered from her. An audit of the pharmacy’s accounts proved that $73 154,63 meant to pay suppliers was not accounted for, the amount Mpande is alleged to have converted to her own use.