By Judith Nyuke
A former Credit Controller at Varichem Pharmaceutical Private Limited was arrested for allegedly converting US$347,329.99 collected from company clients to personal use.
Milton Goremusandu, 42, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa charged with theft of trust property and money laundering.
Complainant in this case is Varichem Pharmaceutical Private Limited, a producer of Pharmaceutical drugs in Zimbabwe being represented by its Finance Manager Joel Muswa,35.
Goremusandu was employed by the complainant as Credit Controller and his duties included collection of cash from company debtors and cash sale customers and receipting the cash received from clients in the receipt books.
The State represented by Rufaro Chonzi alleges that during the beginning of the month of May 2025, complainant got a tip off from a whistle blower to the effect that, Goremusandu was conniving with his immediate subordinate Edwell Sibanda, the Debtor’s Clerk who has since been arrested, to steal cash from the company.
Complainant reportedly instituted a preliminary investigation and discovered that, for the period extending from year 2021 to May 2025, Goremusandu had collected cash from the company customers, Trinity Pharmacy (US$252 930.25), Vidamac Pharmaceuticals (US$36 350.34), Asca Health Care (US$33 220.12) and Care Point Pharmacy Chinhoyi (US$24 829.28), but allegedly had not banked or submitted for banking the received cash.
Further allegations are that Goremusandu would then instruct Edwell Sibanda to initiate journal entries debiting customers who do not owe the company and crediting the paying customers as a cover up of the offence.
He reportedly used the same modus operandi, causing the complainant to suffer financial prejudice to the tune of US$347 329.99.
On 12 May 2025, matter was reported to Police leading to the arrest of Edwell Sibanda at his work place on 14 May 2025.
The State further alleges that on 18 May 2025, Police Detectives visited Goremusandu’s place of residence and managed to recover from his wife Miranda Rutendo Mativenga, a grey Toyota Fortuner SUV estimated at US$60 000.00 and a white Toyota Corrolla. Axio, estimated at US$10 000.00.
The two cars are registered in Goremusandu’s and were reportedly acquired during the period of commission of the offences.
It is the State’s case that the total value stolen is US$347 329.99 and two cars valued at US$70 000.00 were recovered.
