Finance officer's bid to resign hits brick wall as...

Finance officer's bid to resign hits brick wall as he fails to account for US$43 000

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Michael Mashiri

A finance officer of Zimbabwe Health Intervention who wished to tender his resignation has been taken to court after it was discovered he had made a shortfall of more than US$43 000 at the handover and takeover process.

Ranjisi Chimbagu, 33, of Budiriro 1 was before magistrate Stanford Mambanje at the Harare Magistrates' Court charged with theft.

The complainant in the matter is Biggie Kutsakarira, 47, of Mabvuku, employed by Zimbabwe Health Intervention.

Chimbagu's duties included supporting projects of the organisation, cash withdrawals and banking of cash on behalf of the organisation and safekeeping of cash upon its withdrawal from the bank by depositing it in the CABS safe deposit box.

He would then make subsequent withdrawals at the safe deposit box according to the approved organisational needs. He was mandated to maintain the cash transactions in the accounting system through updating the ledger and making the necessary reconciliations.

The State, through prosecutor Tawanda Nyandoro, alleges that on October 1,2021, Chimbagu took over duties of operational cash account from one Sithembiso Mawone who had gone for maternity leave.

They did a hand over -take over process and all was well, with Chimbagu taking over an opening balance of US$35 342.08 cash.

Chimbagu executed his duties in which he prepared cash withdrawal letters which were then approved by the company signatories.

He would then withdraw cash from the company's First Capital bank and Stanbic.

On May 15, 2023, Abgail Chikomo joined the department as a financial analyst. As part of the handover and takeover exercise, a spot cash count was conducted on May 17, 2023 at the CABS safe deposit box and it was discovered that US$220 was missing.

On May 22, 2023, Chimbagu tendered his resignation letter showing that his last working day would be May 31, 2023.

This prompted a handover and takeover process to be carried out between Chimbagu and Chikomo who was the former 's supervisor.

During the process, it was discovered that Chimbagu had a variance of US$43 739.51.

Chimbagu was ordered to pay ZWL$100 000 as bail recognisance.

He will appear in court on July 27.