Hotel staff steals US$500K, luxury vehicle recovered

DETECTIVES investigating the US$500 000 Holiday Inn Mutare fraud case have seized a luxurious Toyota GD6 vehicle allegedly purchased using proceeds of the theft from one of the suspects.

The suspect allegedly teamed up with co-workers to defraud the hospitality concern.

The Toyota 2.8 GD6 vehicle is registered in Knowledge Munetsi Makoni’s name, and is believed to be part of the proceeds of crime.

Makoni (41), who was the accounts supervisor and Takura Ngatiyane (40), who was the head of finance department, last week appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, facing one count of fraud.

The pair allegedly defrauded Holiday Inn Mutare US$587 206.

They were allegedly working in cohorts with Gift Sauramba, who was the accounts clerk.

Police are still to account for Sauramba, who has since been declared a fugitive from justice.

Members of the public with information leading to Sauramba’s arrest are urged to report to their nearest police station.

Makoni was represented by lawyer, Mr Langton Carter, while Mr Mucha Mutekwa represented Ngatiyane.

Mrs Sandra Mlambo prosecuted. Mr Mahwe denied the two bail and remanded them in custody to May 30.

Mrs Mlambo told the court that the three suspects committed the offence for a period spanning one and half years.

It is alleged that the trio under-banked their employer’s cash for one and half years, and Makoni allegedly bought a motor vehicle which is now being held by the State as an exhibit.

“Makoni and Ngatiyane were employed as accounts supervisor and accountant respectively at Holiday Inn Mutare, which is represented by Mr Nkosinathi Moyo who is employed by the hotel as the general manager.

“Among other duties, the accused persons were responsible for the banking of the hotel’s funds. During the period extending from January 4, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the accused persons hatched a plan to defraud their employer with the assistance of Gift Farai Sauramba who is still at large.

“Sauramba who was employed as the accounts clerk would post false balances into the accounting system and Makoni who was his immediate supervisor would approve them, knowing that the postings were false. Ngatiyane who was the overall head of the accounts department would in connivance with Makoni and Sauramba analyse and fraudulently certify the falsified accounts in order to facilitate the fraud,” said Mrs Mlambo.

She added: “On April 22, 2024, Holiday Inn Mutare discovered some anomalies and conducted an audit which indicated that the accused persons had stolen its money in the sum of US$597 206.

“Police recovered a Toyota 2.8 GD6 vehicle which is registered in Makoni’s name. It is believed to be part of the proceeds of crime.”