UZ Student Steals 53 NetOne Social Welfare Sim Cards
A University of Zimbabwe student on attachment at the Department of Social Development has been slapped with a 1-year-jail-term for theft by a Chipinge magistrate.
Tatenda Manhimanzi (22), was found guilty of stealing 53 NetOne Social Welfare lines deposited with $1 700 each.
Magistrate Franklin Mkwananzi sentenced Manhimanzi to 12 months in jail. Four months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
A further four months were suspended on condition that she performs 140 hours of community service at Madziwa Primary.
The remaining four months were suspended on condition that she restitutes the complainant the sum of $91 425 through the clerk of court on or before June 30, this year.
Manhimanzi, a third-year student doing Social Work Programme, was on attachment at the Department of Social Development at Chipinge offices under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare where she worked as a receptionist.
The State said Manhimanzi stole the NetOne lines which were meant for the less privileged. She transferred the money from the 53 lines to people who would give her back the money as cash.
The total amount that she transferred was $90 100 and the value of the 53 lines was $1 325 bringing the total stolen to $91 425.
Prosecutor Thulani Zondwayo said between October 21 last year and April 13 this year, Manhimanzi took 53 Netone lines which were registered on the NetOne mobile money (One wallet) and were trust property from the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare Manicaland office. The lines were to be handed over to the less privileged.
On May 4, Detective Sergeant Antonio received information that the accused stole some lines and transferred $78 200 from 46 lines into Gladys Sithole’s Netone number 0715 800 404 who was among the beneficiaries.
Sithole then transferred the amount to James Mudimu’s Netone number 0713 184 920 in batches who gave her cash.
Manhimanzi further transferred $2 850 to Tinashe Sithole’s Netone number 0714606677 and she got cash from him.
She made the third transaction of $7 400 into Mudimu’s line 0713 184 920 and received cash from him.
