ETG Curechem Manager and Accomplice Face Allegations of $36,000 Fraud
Ashworth Chiringa, a manager at a neighboring company, and his accomplice, Simbarashe Chitate, have been brought before the court on charges of allegedly defrauding their employer of $36,000 by devising their own billing system.
Appearing before Harare magistrate Mrs. Ruth Moyo, Chiringa (45) and Chitate (21) were accused of fraud and each granted bail of $200. They are to remain in custody until March 19. ETG Curechem (Pvt) Ltd, the complainant, is being represented by Tinashe Rujuwa.
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Chiringa oversees the financial department, which is responsible for managing payments for explosives sold from the company’s storage magazine in Mutorashanga.
Prosecutor Mr. Rufaro Chonzi alleged that Chiringa, employed as an explosive manager in June of last year, had developed an unauthorized billing system. The company traditionally used SAP accounting systems, with sales staff manually duplicating invoices for entry into the SAP system.
Furthermore, the company had established a credit facility, requiring authorization before clients could use credit for transactions.
It was revealed in court that Chiringa devised a scheme involving manual billing to circumvent SAP recording, tearing out relevant sales invoices afterward. He and Chitate would then sell the stock and pocket the proceeds. Chiringa allegedly instructed the magazine master to release stock to clients, colluding with Chitate to collect payments.
The alleged fraud was uncovered when the company investigated payments supposedly made by credit clients, only to discover they were cash purchases from Chiringa and Chitate. Chitate and two others, who remain at large, were responsible for collecting the money.
The company’s investigation revealed a total prejudice of $38,652, with no recovery made, as additional clients purportedly purchasing on credit were found not to exist.
