Econet loses $320 000 airtime

Mobile network operators have been called upon to reduce broadband charges

Court Reporter
Econet Wireless reportedly lost thousands of dollars to a salesman who allegedly converted over $320 000 worth of airtime to his own use. Tendai Trust Mhembere (30) now faces charges of theft in the courts.

He appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe on Saturday and was granted $500 bail.

Mhembere was ordered to surrender his passport and to report once a week to the police.

He was remanded to March 30.

Prosecutor Mrs Venencia Mutake alleges that Mhembere was employed by Econet Wireless stationed in Norton.

On February 28 this year, Mhembere was entrusted by his employer to sell recharge cards worth $325 512.

Mhembere is alleged to have sold the airtime and converted the money to his own use.

On March 17 a spot check was conducted by a retail accountant, Tafirenyika Chimbende at the shop who discovered the anomaly. It is alleged Chimbende realised that Mhembere had a stock shortfall of $325 512 worth of recharge cards.

When Mhembere was advised of the shortfall, he reportedly misrepresented that he had given a cash-in-transit crew the money for banking.

In a bid to cover up the offence, Mhembere posted fictitious entries into the Oracle Internal accounting system of the company purporting that he had banked $325 512 on that day.

Investigations were made at Econet Wireless’ CABS account in Norton and it was discovered that the money had not been banked.

A report was made to the police leading to Mhembere’s arrest.

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