Man sentenced for stealing US$2,700 to fund gambling spree

A Pumula man who stole US$2,700 from his employer and lost it all on betting sprees has been sentenced to prison after admitting his crime in court.

Nkenya Mudenda, 29, appeared before Tredgold Magistrate Evia Matura, where he pleaded guilty to theft charges involving funds entrusted to him by local food distributor Ansar Foods. The magistrate handed him a 24-month sentence, with six months suspended.

Between June 6 and June 9, Mudenda was responsible for collecting and managing cash on behalf of Ansar Foods. Prosecutor Nkanyezi Xaba explained that instead of safeguarding the funds, Mudenda embezzled the money and used it to fuel his gambling addiction.

When the company, represented by director Mark Chitaka, requested the money, Mudenda was unable to account for the funds. He later confessed to losing the entire amount through betting, hoping to multiply the money quickly.

"I just wanted to multiply the money," Mudenda told the court. "I thought I could make more through betting." Unfortunately for him, the gamble did not pay off.

No funds have been recovered to date.

Now facing the consequences of his actions behind bars, Mudenda's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and gambling - where, in the end, the house always wins.