NGO worker acquitted of $19k Steward Bank fraud

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AN EMPLOYEE at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) accused of defrauding Steward Bank Bulawayo branch of more than $19 600 was yesterday acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Steward Bank Bulawayo
Steward Bank Bulawayo

AN EMPLOYEE at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) accused of defrauding Steward Bank Bulawayo branch of more than $19 600 was yesterday acquitted due to lack of evidence.

BY SILAS NKALA

Siphilisiwe Mukarate (38) was alleged to have collected money paid by farmers through the bank’s mobile EcoCash money transfer service and converted it to her own use.

Mukarate had denied the charge when she appeared before Bulawayo senior magistrate Gladmore Mushove.

The magistrate ruled that the State failed to prove a prima facie case against her and acquitted her at the close of the State case.

The court heard that between November 2013 and April 2014, Mukarate was co-ordinator for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with mobile operator Econet Wireless, the majority shareholder in Steward Bank, and World Vision in the Insiza district of Matabeleland South.

Under the scheme, farmers were to invest $80 through Econet’s mobile cash transfer service, EcoCash after which the farmers would receive double the amount from Steward Bank.

The court heard that Mukarate allegedly changed the system and tasked agro-dealers, Agritex officers and EcoCash agents to collect the money from farmers.

The cash was sent through heads of departments to Steward Bank.

At some point, Mukarate allegedly collected the cash under pretext she was going to bank the money at Steward Bank where she claimed to work.

Mukarate received some EcoCash lines that were withdrawn from agents in Zvishavane before withdrawing the money and converting it to her own use, the State alleged.

It was the State’s case that in the process, Steward Bank was prejudiced of $19 610.

The fraud was discovered and a report was made to the police, leading to Mukarate’s arrest.