Flea market boss ‘steals’ $9,000

A MAN from Bulawayo has appeared in court for allegedly swindling an association which runs Unity Village Flea Market of more than $9 700.

Kennedy Chibva (39), the former treasurer of Masakhane Traders Association which runs the flea market, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing two counts of theft.

Chibva of Cowdray Park suburb, pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to Friday for continuation of trial.

e complainant, Ms Siphokuhle Sibanda, who is the secretary for the association, said during his time in office, Chibva was a trusted member and leader within the association before he stole the $ 9 700.

She said they were disappointed that he had violated their trust by stealing the association’s funds.

“Chibva acted as the head of the finance committee and also supervised the collection and banking of monthly rentals on a daily basis. He presented audited statements at the Annual General Meeting and was a signatory of the association’s bank account,” Ms Sibanda said.

Prosecuting, Mr Dumisani Ndlovu said Chibva converted the money to his own use between June and July last year.

Chibva was the association’s treasurer between May 27 and August 27 last year.

“Masakhane Traders Association required the accused to bank all the money on a daily basis. However, he converted some of the funds to his own use leading to the association suffering an actual prejudice of $6 992 in the first count,” Mr Ndlovu said.

The court heard that on another day during that period, Chibva allegedly converted $2 718 that was meant to be used for various expenses of the association to his own use.

“The accused had no right whatsoever to act in the manner he did,” said Mr Ndlovu.

The court heard that the offence came to light after an audit was conducted at the association. — @andile_tshuma