An employee of the Veterinary Services Department in Nyamandlovu allegedly converted R22 000 paid by farmers as cattle dipping fees to her own use, a court heard.
Efu Chinyemba (31) was not formally charged with theft when she appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa on Tuesday.
She was remanded to April 29 on $50 bail.
The court heard that between April 22 and October 30 2009, Chinyemba, who was employed as a general hand –cum-accounts clerk, allegedly received R22 000 from farmers in the area but failed to deposit the money into the department’s bank account as per procedure.
Instead, she allegedly converted the money to her own use and nothing was recovered.
Chinyemba’s duties included receiving and balancing the entire ministry’s money as well as depositing the money into her employer’s bank account.
To cover up the offence, Chinyemba allegedly tampered with the figures in the receipt book. The matter only came to light following an internal audit last week, leading to her arrest.
Jerry Mutsindikwa appeared for the State while Chinyemba was represented by Shepherd Chamunorwa.
