N. Richards cashier vanishes to Zambia with US$48 k, arrested after estranged girlfriend tips off ZRP
By Staff Reporter/Agencies
A former cashier at N Richards Wholesale in Rusape, who embezzled US$48,000 meant for banking after a public holiday in 2025, has been jailed.
The convict, Tawanda Manzinde, 34, of Magamba Extension, Rusape, fled to Zambia under a false identity and spent the stolen money on cars, two bottle stores and a house. His time on the run ended when he was arrested.
Manzinde was arrested by Interpol after a former girlfriend tipped off police following a dispute. He was extradited to Zimbabwe over a week ago.
Manzinde appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe, charged with one count of theft under Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. He pleaded guilty and was convicted.
Magistrate Mahwe sentenced him to seven years in prison. One year was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining six years were also suspended on condition that he repay the company the full amount immediately. He did not have the money, so he was ordered to serve a six-year jail term.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa said Manzinde stole US$48,445 that was due to be banked after the Independence Day holiday, then disappeared. Police later recovered only US$1,242, which had been hidden in a hole at his house.
“On the period extending from April 17, 2025 and April 22, 2025, Manzinde, who was employed as a cashier at N Richards Wholesale, Rusape, took cash amounting to US$48 445, which he was entrusted by the company to safe keep, and to bank it after the holiday,” said Mutukwa.
“Manzinde, however, took the cash and fled from work to Zambia. On April 22, 2025, his manager, Mr Brian Mukwenha, made a police report at ZRP Rusape Central, and investigations into the recovery of US$1 242 at Manzinde’s house from a dug hole.
“On June 4, 2026, a tip-off was received that Manzinde was residing in Zambia. Interpol NCB Harare was engaged, and a request for the extradition of Manzinde was made.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) issued a provisional warrant of arrest the same day.
Interpol NCB Harare forwarded the provisional warrant to Interpol NCB Lusaka.
On 9 June, Manzinde was arrested by Interpol NCB Lusaka in Zambia, who then informed Interpol NCB Harare.
Manzinde was held in Zambia while authorities waited for an extradition request from Zimbabwe. He had obtained a fake Zambian identity card and was using the name Charles Banda.
He told detectives he used the money to open two bottle stores, buy two vehicles, and purchase a residential stand where he built a house in Chirundu, Zambia.
“Manzinde was interviewed by detectives in Zambia, and it was discovered that he had forged the Zambian national identity card and had changed his name to Charles Banda,” said Mutukwa.
“On June 19, Manzinde was deported by Interpol NCB Lusaka officials for contravening the Zambian Immigration Act. He was arrested by detectives from CID Chirundu.”
On 20 June, detectives from CID Rusape and Interpol NCB Harare escorted Manzinde from Chirundu to Rusape.
During questioning, Manzinde said he fled to Zambia on 22 April 2025 with US$48,445 in cash.
He had been living in Chiebende, Chirundu, Zambia, where he ran two bottle stores.
He also said he bought a Honda Fit and a Toyota Daihatsu. In addition, he purchased a 25m by 25m residential stand and used the proceeds of the crime to build a five-roomed house on it.
The total amount stolen was US$48,445 and ZiG2,000. The total amount recovered was US$1,240 and ZiG1,440
