Pharmacist acquitted on 186 counts of theft and fraud

Douglas Nzombe Chiutsi, a supervising pharmacist at Hartwell Pharmacy (trading as Cliques Pharmacy), has been acquitted on 186 counts of theft of trust property and fraud after a full trial.

Chiutsi faced 24 counts of theft and 142 counts of fraud, relating to alleged manipulation of pharmaceutical stock records between 2020 and 2024. The State claimed he adjusted quantities in the Propham software system and altered unit costs to match supplier invoices, allegedly causing a loss of US$15,621.37, and created fraudulent goods received vouchers (GRVs) for non-existent suppliers, purportedly prejudicing complainants by US$284,036.21.

However, Regional Magistrate Noel Mupeiwa ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that Chiutsi was not the only person with access to the system and, in one instance, was out of the country when the alleged manipulation occurred. The magistrate also criticized the investigative process, highlighting that the case was formally reported three months after police investigations began.

"The evidence is balanced between the accused's case and that of the State. The explanation of the accused is probable for all 186 counts. Since the State has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, the benefit of doubt goes to the accused," Magistrate Mupeiwa said.

Chiutsi, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was acquitted on all counts, marking the end of a four-year legal ordeal.