A JUDICIAL Service Commission (JSC) employee in Gokwe has been convicted of theft and fraud involving over $2 300 and slapped with an effective 14 months in prison. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Sibongile Msungatai (34) pleaded not guilty to theft by conversion and fraud when she appeared before Gokwe magistrate Judith Taruvinga on Monday, but was convicted on all counts and sentenced to 24 months.
However, four months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour and a further six months were suspended on condition that she restituted the complainant $980.
Msungatai was ordered to pay that money back by June 30.
Prosecutor Tineyi Tirigo told the court that Msungatai was employed by the JSC as an office orderly at the Gokwe Magistrates’ Court.
It was the State’s case that sometime in June 2013, Philip Mujuru and Sylvester Hamadziripi were convicted by the Gokwe Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay $980.
On July 25, Msungatai contacted Felix Mujuru, Philip’s brother, demanding that he bring the money urgently to court.
Maria Fambisi, Philip’s motheer, went and paid $980, but was not given a receipt.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
On October 23, Hamadziripi was arrested for failing to pay restitution in time, but an inquiry was conducted and it established that Msungatai received the money and converted it to her own use.
Msungatai later on demanded $1 400 from Mujuru and Hamadziripi misrepresenting that Fanad Cotton Company they had been convicted of defrauding had brought another request that they repay the amount.
However, investigations showed that there was no such money demanded from the two and Msungatai was arrested.
