Byo pharmacy loses $73 000 in fraud case

A BULAWAYO pharmacy has lost more than $73 150 through fraud after an employee allegedly diverted the money meant to pay suppliers in various intervals to her own use.

This was heard by Bulawayo magistrate Singandu Jele yesterday when Nodumo Standazile Mpande (24) appeared before him charged with fraud.

She denied the charge, but after a full trial, the magistrate further remanded her for judgment.

Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that sometime between January 1 2013 and September 25 2014, Mpande was employed by Supermed Pharmacy situated at between 8th and 9th avenues, along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street in Bulawayo.

She allegedly received $73 154,63 on different occasions from Supermed Pharmacy, which is being represented by Lorraine Hadebe, after it was agreed that she was supposed to deposit the money in the different companies' accounts.

The companies had reportedly supplied the pharmacy with drugs on credit.

It is the State case that instead, Mpande unlawfully converted the whole amount to her own use.

The offence reportedly came to light when one of their suppliers contacted the pharmacy demanding its money, which had been already given to Mpande to pay into its account.

This led to the pharmacy making a report to the police, leading to Mpande's arrest.

A search conducted by the police at Mpande's house resulted in the recovery of signed invoices showing that a payment of $20 904,60 was made to one supplier, while another showed that the National Generics company was paid $290.

A number of invoices, which had no signatures, were recovered from her.

An audit of the pharmacy's accounts proved that $73 154,63 meant to pay suppliers was not accounted for and this is the amount which Mpande is alleged to have converted to her own use.