Former Mukuru Employee In Robbery Case

 Former Mukuru employee Tinotenda Zephania Gunde faces charges of theft of US$19,536, R39,430, and Samsung cellphones from a branch in Filabusi. He allegedly collaborated with three others in the crime.

The theft was discovered on December 14, 2023, when an employee of Talen Vision, where the Mukuru outlet is located, arrived at the shop to find the back door open and the door leading to Mukuru’s safe room open. The shop employee then alerted the manager at Mukuru, who discovered that the safe had been opened and money was stolen, with only US$2000 remaining.

 He appeared at the Filabusi Magistrate Court before Sukoluhle Belinda Nunu on December 16, 2023, where he sought to apply for bail but his application was dismissed and he was remanded in custody to December 29, 2023, for a possible trial in Filabusi.

In the state’s case, the prosecutor, Naledi Muleya said, “Gunde unlawfully entered the premises and stole cash and other valuables. On the 13th day of December 2023 at Talen Vision shop Filabusi, Tinotenda Zephania Gunde unlawfully, intentionally, and without permission from Talen Vision shop represented by Silani Tshuma, the lawful occupier of the premises concerned or without other lawful authority, entered into Talen Vision shop by breaking a burglar bar to gain entry.

Muleya said, “Gunde took advantage of the absence of people at the shop premises because the complainant had knocked off and secured the premises using a burglar bar and padlocks. On the 13th of December at around 17:00 hours Nkosana Sibanda a Mukuru Send Money Home Teller knocked off duty and balanced cash amounting to US$1 8586 and  R3 9430 which he secured in a safe as well as three cellphones, a Samsung Galaxy A13, Samsung Galaxy A02 as well as a Lenovo M10 tablet. The cash was in US$100, US$20, US$10, US$5, and US$1 notes denominations.

On the same day and during night the accused took advantage of the knowledge of the premises as well as the knowledge of the secret codes used to open the safe and proceeded to Talen Vision shop as outlined in count one and gained entry,” said Muleya.