Teller in court over US$64 928 fraud

Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent

A TELLER with NEDBANK in Southerton, Harare, appeared in court yesterday on allegations of defrauding the bank of cash amounting to US$64 928 through an elaborate scheme of swapping depositors’ US-dollar bank balances with electronic money (RTGS).

Oswell Kisi (49) is facing charges of contravening section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23-“fraud” alternatively theft of trust property as defined in section 113 (2) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and money laundering as defined in section 8 of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.

He appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro, who granted him $300 bail.

Kisi was ordered to stay at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.

It is alleged that during the period extending from October 15, 2018 to March 9 2019, Kisi used denomination exchange platform in the flexicube core banking system (under the teller module), which is designed for exchange of similar currencies only, for exchanging different currencies.

The court heard that Kisi put in bond cash inflows and took out United States of America dollars cash, thereby prejudicing NEDBANK of US$64 928 and nothing was recovered.

Thirteen other NEDBANK tellers recently appeared before magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo, facing the same charges and were remanded to May 8, on various bail terms.

Those who appeared in court in Harare are Etilda Deshe (39), Chamunorwa Shereni (36), Ivy Mudzingwa (36), Aysher Musoni (32), Prince Manhire (44), Shorai Chiperera (40), Blessing Mutombera (42), Upenyu Mupfure (33), Tawanda Pfuurai (34), Sithembinkosi Mupendeka (35), Loveness Kembo (33) and Freddy Tafireyi (36).

The State was represented by Linda Gadzikwa, while the accused were represented by Messrs Justin Zuze, Kuchenga Takura and Advocate Garikayi Sithole.

Mr Mapfumo granted the bank tellers bail ranging between $100 and $450.

They were also ordered to continue staying at their given addresses, report once a week to the police and not to interfere with State witnesses until the case is finalised.