A 30-year-old NMB Bank Limited banker was sent to jail for one-and-a-half years after stealing $170 000 from his employer that he blew up on gambling. Alfred Gusha of 13 Rue Close Msasa Park, Harare, was convicted on two counts of theft. Harare regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa sentenced Gusha to three years in prison before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.
Another year was suspended on condition that Gusha restitutes the bank. However, he will serve an effective 18 months in jail.
Gusha was the custodian of NMB vault and made cash bundles before sealing them.
In mitigation, Gusha begged for the court’s lenience saying he is a family man.
“I am a first offender who lived the life of a saint up to the time I committed this offence,” said Gusha.
“I am addicted to gambling and did not benefit anything from the offence. I withdrew the money for the last big gamble but it all went into the drain.
“I lost everything including my employment as a result of this offence. It is highly unlikely that I will be able to get employment especially in the banking sector despite my experience as a seasoned banker.”
The complainant was NMB bank represented by its security manager Mr Negion Majahana Moyo. The prosecutor Ms Tinashe Makiya, told the court that on October 2, Gusha stole $36 230, which he was managing and converted it to his own use.
In a bid to conceal the offence, Gusha mixed $1 notes with $100 notes to appear as though all were $100 before putting the money in the vault.
The offence was unearthed on October 14 when Gusha failed to report for work prompting the branch manager to open the vault and discovered the trick.
Gusha then went into hiding after the matter had been reported to the police and later surrendered himself on July 20.