A 32-year-old former finance assistant has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing fraud and money laundering charges after allegedly forging per diem claims and diverting more than US$210,000 meant for suppliers into his personal bank account.

The accused allegedly used some of the funds to acquire property and a vehicle in an effort to conceal the origin of the money.

Nolan Burungudzi (32), of Eastview, Harare, is facing three counts of fraud and money laundering. He is currently unemployed and was previously employed by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society as a finance assistant.

The first count involves the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, represented by its Security and Liaison Officer, Jese Chigaveni.

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

On November 30, 2023, he allegedly repeated the conduct by forging Makumbindi's signature on another per diem claim form, falsely indicating that a further US$80 allowance had been paid.

The offence came to light in early January 2024. Following its discovery, the accused allegedly stopped reporting for duty. He was later contacted regarding the matter and reimbursed the organisation by depositing US$160 into the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society's bank account.

The total amount allegedly defrauded was US$160, which was fully recovered.

The second count involves SRH Africa Trust, represented by Operations Manager Hamida Mauto.

Burungudzi was employed as a finance officer by the trust from November 2024 at its offices in Avonlea, Harare, where his duties included administering the organisation's finances.

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 for the event was authorised and Burungudzi was tasked with processing it.

As the workshop got underway, the complainant reviewed the event documentation and allegedly discovered that the invoice from the venue was only US$5,206 despite US$7,206 having been authorised, revealing a variance of US$2,000.

When confronted, the accused allegedly transferred the US$2,000 back to the organisation.

The complainant then ordered an internal audit of the organisation's banking activities.

The audit allegedly revealed that Burungudzi had systematically duplicated existing beneficiary and supplier profiles, retaining the names of legitimate clients while replacing their banking details with those of his personal First Capital Bank US dollar account.

Because the automated banking system validated account numbers rather than beneficiary names, funds intended for suppliers were allegedly redirected to the accused's account.

Investigators allegedly discovered that more than US$210,000 intended for suppliers had been diverted through the scheme.

A search of the accused's laptop allegedly recovered a ZIFA Mashonaland East enrolment form, which investigators say showed he was unlawfully using the organisation's identity as a sponsor without executive authorisation.

The State alleges that Burungudzi misrepresented his personal banking details as those of legitimate beneficiaries, enabling him to receive funds intended for the organisation's operations.

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

The total prejudice is US$210,000 and none of the money has been recovered.

Prosecutors further allege that after committing the offences involving SRH Africa Trust, Burungudzi used part of the proceeds to acquire various properties, which he allegedly failed to disclose in an attempt to conceal the source of the funds.

He also allegedly purchased a Nissan Caravan NV350, registration number AHC 5524, to disguise the destination of the proceeds, in contravention of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.

Investigations allegedly established that the accused failed to disclose the location of the funds or the whereabouts of assets allegedly acquired using the proceeds of the offences.

Burungudzi is expected back in court on June 9, 2026, for a ruling on his bail application.