A 38-year-old security guard has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison after stealing US$160,000 from his employer’s safe and using the proceeds to acquire property, vehicles and other assets.
The Harare Magistrates’ Court convicted Ishmael Stanley Chakombera of Mudzi on charges of theft and unlawful entry following a meticulously planned theft committed while he was employed at Valiage Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd.
In a statement, yesterday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Chakombera stole the company’s office and safe keys before gaining unauthorised access to the safe and making away with the cash.
“During March 2025, while employed as a security guard at Valiage Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, the offender hatched a plan to steal the company’s office and safe keys and used them to gain access to the safe, from which he stole US$160,000.
The theft came to light in April 2025 when a senior company official opened the safe and discovered that the money was missing. Upon inspection, it was established that there were no signs of forced entry or physical damage to the safe, prompting the company to file a police report,” the authority added.
Investigations by the police led to the discovery that Chakombera had acquired substantial assets shortly after the theft.
“NPAZ can confirm that police investigations established that the offender had purchased a house in Budiriro 4 and built a homestead in Mudzi, where he had also drilled a borehole and installed a solar power system,” NPAZ said.
Authorities recovered property valued at approximately US$125,000, including the stolen office and safe keys used to commit the offence.
“The court sentenced Chakombera to 10 years’ imprisonment. Three years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
A further four years were suspended on condition that he pays US$35,000 in restitution to Valiage Enterprises by August 30, 2026, leaving him to serve an effective three-year prison term,” NPAZ said.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the sentence should serve as a warning against workplace dishonesty.
“The NPAZ urges employees to uphold honesty, integrity and professionalism in the workplace. Abuse of positions of trust for personal gain is a serious criminal offence that attracts severe penalties, including imprisonment,” said the authority.
