Former finance assistant in court over US$210 000 fraud

A former finance assistant has appeared before the courts facing fraud and money laundering charges involving more than US$210,000 allegedly misappropriated from two organisations.

Nolan Burungudzi (32) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa on three counts of fraud and one count of money laundering.

He was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for today.

According to the State, the first two fraud charges relate to the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, represented by its Security and Liaison Officer, Mr Jese Chigaveni.

Prosecutors allege that on August 15, 2023, Burungudzi forged the signature of Mr Jefter Makumbindi on a Zimbabwe Red Cross Society per diem claim form, falsely indicating that Mr Makumbindi had received an allowance of US$80.

The State further alleges that on November 30, 2023, he repeated the offence by forging another claim form and fraudulently obtaining a further US$80.

The alleged irregularities were reportedly discovered in January 2024, after which Burungudzi allegedly stopped reporting for duty. Court papers indicate that he later reimbursed the funds after being contacted.

The more serious allegations involve SRH Africa Trust, represented by operations manager Ms Hamida Mauto.

The court heard that Burungudzi's responsibilities included administering the organisation's finances.

Prosecutors allege that during the first week of April 2026, SRH Africa Trust held a workshop at Manna Resort in Glen Lorne, Harare. A payment of US$7,206 was reportedly authorised for the event, with Burungudzi tasked with processing the transaction.

During the workshop, Ms Mauto allegedly noticed discrepancies between the guest list and the actual attendance figures. Upon reviewing the documentation, she reportedly discovered that the organisation should have paid only US$5,206, leaving an unexplained variance of US$2,000.

When questioned, Burungudzi allegedly transferred the US$2,000 back to the organisation.

The State alleges that an internal audit subsequently uncovered a wider scheme in which Burungudzi duplicated legitimate supplier and beneficiary profiles within the organisation's banking system.

While retaining the names of genuine beneficiaries, he allegedly altered banking details and substituted them with account information linked to his personal First Capital Bank account.

As a result, funds intended for suppliers and organisational activities were allegedly redirected into his account over a period of time.

Investigations reportedly established that approximately US$210,000 earmarked for suppliers and operational activities was diverted through the alleged scheme.

The court also heard that investigators recovered a ZIFA Mashonaland East enrolment form from Burungudzi's laptop, which allegedly indicated that he had used the organisation's name as a sponsor without authorisation from its executives.

The matter was subsequently reported to police, leading to his arrest.

Prosecutors told the court that the total prejudice suffered by SRH Africa Trust amounts to US$210,000 and that none of the money has been recovered.

On the money laundering charge, the State alleges that Burungudzi sought to conceal the origins of funds allegedly obtained through fraud by acquiring various assets and properties.

The prosecution further alleges that he failed to account for the whereabouts of the funds and the assets allegedly purchased using the proceeds of the alleged crimes.

The matter is expected to continue after the determination of his bail application.