Director in court over US$90 000 theft from pen...

Director in court over US$90 000 theft from pensioners

Michael Mashiri

A Superior Hardware Private Limited director has been taken to court accused of stealing US$90 000 from government pensioners.

Pukunyukai Muzeza, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

The complainant in this matter is Pensioners Union Trust of Zimbabwe, represented by its Chairperson, Trust Kanjoma.

The State, through prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu, alleges that in February 2011, Florence Ruzvidzo, Chiedza Mushimbo, Kenneth Dzitiro, Elson Mhasvi and Getrude Zunde, created Pensioners Union of Zimbabwe with the aim of uplifting welfare of government pensioners and they later incorporated Kanjoma as their chairperson.

It is alleged that in 2016, the organization had a leadership wrangle, forcing the pensions funds to hold their funds pending finalisation of the matter at the High Court.

Kanjoma then met Muzeza in Harare CBD who promised to facilitate a quick release of their funds on condition that he was made a signatory to their Agribank account and they complied.

On June 1, 2017, US$190 394 was then released by the pensions fund into the Pensioners Union Trust of Zimbabwe account number.

In August 2023, an audit was done and it unearthed that on June 3, 2017, Muzeza had unlawfully transferred US$33 000 from Pensioners Union Trust of Zimbabwe AFC account into a Briskbay Enterprises account and on June 5, 2017, US$90 000 into Pensioners account which he converted into to his own use.

As a result, the total money that was allegedly stolen by Muzeza is US$90 000 and nothing has been recovered.

Muzeza was ordered to deposit US$200 as bail and will appear in court again on November 27.