BULAWAYO - A former Lobel's Bread debtors supervisor has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after a Bulawayo magistrate found him guilty of stealing more than US$13 000 in company cash collections.
Gratitude Joseph Hlongwane, 35, of Mahatshula North was convicted by Magistrate Challenge Mahembe on a charge of theft of trust property. He had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a full trial.
Of the 10-year sentence, three years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. A further five years were suspended on condition that Hlongwane repays his former employer US$13 056 by 30 April 2026, leaving him with an effective two years to serve.
Court records show that between November 2023 and August 2024, Hlongwane regularly visited Pintail Trading Private Limited, a Lobel's Bread client, where he was authorised to collect payments on the company's behalf. Cashiers at Pintail Trading recorded his national identity card details in their cash dispatch book each time he collected funds.
Over that period, Hlongwane received a total of US$82 276 and signed to confirm receipt. Prosecutor Veronica Manyuka told the court that he subsequently banked only US$69 221, keeping US$13 055 for his personal use.
The scheme came to light when fellow Debtors Supervisor Tsitsi Mukwena identified discrepancies during a routine reconciliation. Lobel's Bread reported the matter to police, leading to Hlongwane's arrest.
The Pintail Trading dispatch book, Lobel's Bread cash receipt book, and driver's cash deposit slips were all admitted as exhibits and proved central to the prosecution's case. The full amount stolen has not been recovered.
Reporting by Moreblessing Ncube of B-Metro.
