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Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter—
A FORMER Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel employee is on the run after allegedly fleecing the company of more than $85,000, police confirmed yesterday. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said they had launched a manhunt for Fundie Mageza who swindled the hotel in 26 different banking transactions.

Mageza, who was employed as a cash book clerk, is said to have converted to his own use money he was sent to deposit at FBC bank between August and December last year.

Insp Moyo said Mageza created fake bank deposit slips that he used to dupe his employer.

“The accused person is a former employee of Rainbow Hotel Bulawayo and was a cash book clerk. He converted cash amounting to $85,910 to his own use prejudicing the company.

“For the period extending from August to December 17, 2014, the accused collected sales from Rainbow for banking at FBC bank in 26 different transactions,” he said.

“The accused raised fake deposit slips which he would then fraudulently stamp using an FBC Bank stamp.”

The police spokesperson gave Mageza’s National Registration number as 08-875563A73.

He appealed to people who may have information that might lead to Mageza’s arrest to contact the police.

“If seen please contact CID Fraud Bulawayo on 09-78444; Detective Sergeant Moyo on 0772 610 607; NetOne users can contact the police on their toll free number 110,” said Insp Moyo, adding that people with information could also visit the nearest police station.

The hotel did not immediately respond to enquiries on the matter.

Mageza’s manhunt comes days after former Air Zimbabwe chief executive officer Peter Chikumba and former company secretary Grace Pfumbidzai were each sentenced to 10 years for insurance fraud involving more than $8 million.

The pair will serve seven years each after the court suspended three years of their sentences on condition of good behaviour.

The two were found guilty of hiring a local insurance company without going to tender and inflating charges for other services hired by the airline resulting in their conviction over criminal abuse of office.