The manager of Triple Best Enterprises in Bulawayo lost more than $1.4 million after he forgot to log out of his account on a self-service computer at a local bank.
This came to light when Dalin Mashiza Magumo appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa, where he faced a charge of theft.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, including three months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The other three months were suspended again, on the condition that he return the complainant the amount of $1,420,000.
The remaining six months were suspended, on condition that he perform 210 hours of community service at Bulawayo Traffic West.
The court heard that on February 15, at about 8am, Pride Nkomo visited a bank branch located at the corner of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and Eighth Avenue to transfer money to another account using the bank’s self-service computers.
Nkomo logged into his bank account, transferred the money, but then forgot to log out of the self-service computer.
Magomo discovered Nkomo’s open account and proceeded to transfer $1,000,000 to his own account and $420,000 to his EcoCash account, all without Nkomo’s permission.
After being alerted by account debit messages, Nkomo visited the bank to inquire about the unusual activity.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to the arrest of Magumo. B metro
