THE trial of two former Varun Beverages employees, accused of stealing money from the company, is set to continue with the prosecution revealing that four more witnesses are expected to testify in the matter.
Prosecutor Ngoni Kaseke told Harare regional magistrate Estere Chivasa on Monday that the four witnesses are expected to provide crucial evidence against Elvis Muzvidziwa (33) and Vitalis Masikati (32) who were formerly employed by the complainant as driver and assistant accountant, respectively.
On Monday, Kaseke led evidence from one Millicent Sithole, a former salesperson for Varun Beverages who told the court that she worked at Varun Beverages for two years under Muzvidziwa.
“I was taught how to do the work by Muzvidziwa and our relationship at that time was good because he would also get assigned to drive me around.”
She further stated that Muzvidziwa additionally instructed her that she could sell the beverages at a lower price in US dollars and he would balance her accounts after work by converting the money into RTGS.
The court heard that the company's selling price was US$7 or equivalent in RTGS per case, but Sibanda and other salespersons had devised a plan to sell at UD$6, 50 and give the proceeds to the accused persons who would then convert the money to RTGS and deposit into the company’s accounts.
Muzvidziwa and Masikati are, however, denying the allegations.
During cross-examination, their lawyer asked Sibanda if she had any proof to show that the accused persons committed the crime.
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Sibanda alleged that she had text messages that showed her conversation with Muzvidziwa where he would alert her that he had balanced her account and awaiting her US$ proceeds as per their deal.
Kaseke alleges that Masikati and Muzvidziwa conspired to defraud Varun Beverages of US$305 790 between June 1 and July 6, 2023.
Muzvidziwa is being accused of collecting sale proceeds from various sales agents, promising to deposit the funds into the company's Zimbabwean dollar account.
Instead of depositing the funds into the company’s bank account, the two allegedly shared the money between themselves and posted fake figures totaling ZWL $1,829 799 989 into the account.
The alleged fraud came to light during an external audit conducted by Crowe Chartered Accountants.
Upon arrest, Masikati led police to his residence, where US$76 804, a laptop, and SAP ID were recovered.
Further investigations revealed that route agents gave US dollar cash to Muzvidziwa, who hid US$23 007 in his wardrobe.
Kaseke further told the court that investigations revealed that Masikati purchased a Toyota Hiace van worth US$7 000 and a Toyota Axio worth US$8 800 from the proceeds of crime.
The two vehicles were seized by police.
