Quest Financial Services Security Guards Sentenced to 24 Months In Jail For US$53k
Two security officers have been sentenced to jail time after being found guilty of stealing a substantial amount of US$53,000 following a robbery at Quest Financial Services.
Cornelius Muchikange and Nesbert Kachungwe, who initially admitted to the theft, were handed down their sentences yesterday, resulting in a combined imprisonment of 24 months.
Appearing before Magistrate Ethel Chichera, Muchikange and Kachungwe acknowledged their culpability, leading to a judgment that included a 48-month prison sentence, with six months suspended on the condition of maintaining a clean record in terms of theft or dishonesty for the next five years.
Moreover, eighteen months of their sentence were suspended with the requirement that they collectively repay Quest Financial Services a total of US$18,650.
The two guards were on duty as part of the response team during the robbery at Quest Financial Services, where a staggering US$710,000 was stolen.
Following the criminals’ escape, leaving behind various tools and dropped cash, Muchikange and Kachungwe, stationed at the front of the premises, stumbled upon a torn paper bag containing approximately US$53,000.
Without delay, they appropriated the money and split it between themselves. However, their unlawful gains did not go undetected for long.
Detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information indicating the involvement of the guards in the theft of the cash discarded by the fleeing robbers.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Zebediah Bofu, stressed the seriousness of the offense, leading to the imprisonment of Muchikange and Kachungwe.
