Four money transfer agency employees arrested

DETECTIVES from the Homicide section in Bulawayo have smashed a suspected syndicate of money transfer agency employees who allegedly stole about $107 774 from Easylink.

Easylink is a money transfer agency and together with many other agencies became popular during the economic challenges a few years ago as many people based in the Diaspora were using them to send money to their relatives back home.

On 30 April a report of unlawful entry and theft at Easylink was received at the Bulawayo Central Police Station, resulting in the arrest of four workers.

The suspects, Khumbuzo Gumbo (37), of 7212 Nketa 9, Sydney Ndachengedzwa, (23), of Number 8 Capri Court, Phanuel Kafesu (27), of Number 2 White Road, Kumalo and Matewo Mazhale (33), of Number 31 Upton Road in Queens Park East were arrested after detectives visited the agency's offices at the corner of 10th Avenue and Fort Street and discovered that the kitchen window, which had allegedly been used as a point of entry, had not been broken as alleged.

The State is alleging that on 29 April this year they took advantage of the fact that they were the only ones who were on duty and had knowledge that there was $107 774 in the bank's vault.

The tellers had vault and safe keys in their custody while Gumbo had access to the bank security system in the form of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the control room.

The State is alleging that when they knocked off on 29 April they allegedly deliberately left their key cabinets unlocked and in the cabinets were keys to the vault and safes where the cash was being kept.

Gumbo allegedly switched off power to the door leading to the key cabinet, which is linked to the security access card system.

The State claims that by so doing he knew that the door would be left unlocked and one would not need an access card to open it.

The State further claims that after the other three employees had left using the back door, Gumbo allegedly deliberately disregarded the bank's security procedures and left the alarm system unarmed.

He allegedly left the back door unlocked and slightly open so that one would not need an access card when entering.

After 10 minutes the State alleges Gumbo, a former policeman, re-entered the premises through the back door shielding his face from the security cameras with a jacket. He allegedly proceeded to the control room where he allegedly damaged the central processing unit (CPU) (digital video recorder) of the CCTV.

Testifying in court yesterday Detective Assistant Inspector Sihlangu Siwela told Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja that they observed that the burglar bars had been cut using a bolt cutter. It was his testimony during a bail application by Gumbo, Ndachengedzwa, Kafesu and Mazhale that after making further investigations they discovered that the quartet had made a lot of security omissions.

It was his evidence that doors at the offices had been left unlocked and that the security system had been disarmed.

Gumbo and Ndachengedzwa, who are now admitted to United Bulawayo Hospitals, told the court that they had strong complaints against the police, as they were severely tortured.

They alleged that the detectives set dogs on them after taking them from Donnington and Hillside police stations and being taken to a bushy area in Hillside.

Gumbo was allegedly bitten on the calf of his right leg and told the court under oath that doctors had informed him that if he does not get proper treatment, his leg might have to be amputated. Ndachengedzwa told the court that he sustained serious injuries to his left arm as tendons have been severed and his fingers were paralysed.

The pair denied ever trying to escape from the police after it was put to them that the dogs were set on them after they had attempted to flee during indications.

Their lawyers, Mr Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga, of Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners assisted by Ms Nosimilo Chanayiwa, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights indicated that they would be applying for a referral of the matter to the Supreme Court as their clients' constitutional rights had been violated.

After hearing evidence, Mr Mjanja ruled that the State had failed to advance reasons to show that the quartet was a flight risk.

He said the quartet had discharged its mandate to show that they were suitable candidates for bail.

The accused were each granted $500 bail.

Ndachengedzwa who is a student at the National University of Science and Technology was granted $300 bail.

Gumbo and Ndachengedzwa should report to the UBH police post until they are discharged from hospital while Kafesu and Mazhale should report to the Homicide Section. They should report twice a week on Mondays and Fridays between 6 am and 6pm and the court ordered them to surrender their travel documents.

They were further ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.

They will next appear in court on 14 May.

Gumbo is employed as a security officer while Ndachengedzwa and Kafesu are employed as tellers. Mr Malvern Nzombe appeared for the State and Mr Jonathan Tsvangirai defended Kafesu and Mr Simbarashe Chivaura, of Mashayamombe and Company defended Mazhale.

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