News / National
US$300 ATM thief caught using CCtv footage
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A 48-year-old Victoria Falls man has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of stealing US$300 from a malfunctioning ATM at a ZB Bank branch in Hwange.
Kaleb Murahwa was initially handed a 12-month jail term, but three months were conditionally suspended on the provision that he restitutes the stolen money by July 11, 2025. Failure to do so will result in him serving the full sentence.
The court heard that the incident occurred on May 24, 2024, when a 29-year-old schoolteacher from Binga attempted to withdraw US$300 from the ATM. After inserting her card and completing the transaction, the machine failed to dispense any cash, prompting her to go inside the bank to report the issue.
While the complainant was seeking assistance, the faulty ATM eventually dispensed the money, which Murahwa opportunistically took before walking away.
Unaware of what had transpired outside, bank staff assisted the teacher and processed the same US$300 transaction manually from the counter.
However, months later on July 2, during routine account reconciliations, ZB Bank discovered that the complainant had effectively received double the amount intended. As a result, the bank debited US$300 from her account, assuming she had received both disbursements.
Further investigations, including a review of CCTV footage from the day, revealed Murahwa taking the cash from the ATM after the original customer had entered the bank, confirming the theft.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Murahwa knowingly took money that did not belong to him, leading to his conviction. He has until next month to repay the amount or risk serving the entire 12-month sentence.
The case highlights the importance of accountability in situations involving ATM malfunctions and reinforces the legal consequences of opportunistic theft.
Kaleb Murahwa was initially handed a 12-month jail term, but three months were conditionally suspended on the provision that he restitutes the stolen money by July 11, 2025. Failure to do so will result in him serving the full sentence.
The court heard that the incident occurred on May 24, 2024, when a 29-year-old schoolteacher from Binga attempted to withdraw US$300 from the ATM. After inserting her card and completing the transaction, the machine failed to dispense any cash, prompting her to go inside the bank to report the issue.
While the complainant was seeking assistance, the faulty ATM eventually dispensed the money, which Murahwa opportunistically took before walking away.
Unaware of what had transpired outside, bank staff assisted the teacher and processed the same US$300 transaction manually from the counter.
However, months later on July 2, during routine account reconciliations, ZB Bank discovered that the complainant had effectively received double the amount intended. As a result, the bank debited US$300 from her account, assuming she had received both disbursements.
Further investigations, including a review of CCTV footage from the day, revealed Murahwa taking the cash from the ATM after the original customer had entered the bank, confirming the theft.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Murahwa knowingly took money that did not belong to him, leading to his conviction. He has until next month to repay the amount or risk serving the entire 12-month sentence.
The case highlights the importance of accountability in situations involving ATM malfunctions and reinforces the legal consequences of opportunistic theft.
Source - NewZimbabwe
