A Harare man, already embroiled in a kidnapping trial, has been hauled back to court on fresh allegations of defrauding his former employer of more than US$10 000.
Simbarashe Emmanuel Martin Rondozai (38), the former accounts manager at Wellcash Debt Collectors, appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo facing charges of theft of trust property.
The proceedings were postponed to August 14 to allow for the allocation of a trial date.
The state alleged that between March and December 2024, Rondozai systematically converted US$10.811 to his personal use—funds that had been painstakingly recovered from debtors on behalf of the company’s clients.
To date, nothing has been recovered from the missing loot.
The complainant, Wellcash Debt Collectors, is being represented by Cephas Ngorima.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo informed the court that Rondozai’s core responsibilities included overseeing debt collections and ensuring that all recovered funds were secured in the company’s ZB Bank trust account before being remitted to creditors.
However, the prosecution contends that Rondozai bypassed these protocols, misappropriating the cash for his own benefit.
- In Full: Nineteenth post-cabinet press briefing: July 05, 2022
- Fresh land invasions hit Whitecliff
- State withdraw charges against businessman
- Delta Beverages loses Supreme Court appeal
Keep Reading
The court heard of several specific incidents involving the accused. On one occasion, a debt collector, David Matanda, reportedly withdrew US$8.811 from his EcoCash account and handed the physical cash to Rondozai for banking.
The state alleged the deposit was never made.
Matanda further entrusted Rondozai with US$400 received via Mukuru, another US$400 from Chicken Launch, and US$300 from a debtor identified as Chaluwa. In all instances, the money was allegedly pocketed rather than banked.
In a separate incident, debt collector Lancelot Muswere informed the accused that he had recovered US$300.
Rondozai allegedly instructed Muswere to transfer the funds via EcoCash to a mobile number registered in the name of his mother, Mercy Rondozai.
The state maintained that none of these funds ever reached the company’s trust account, having been diverted for Rondozai’s personal use.
In the kidnapping case, Rondozai) and four other unknown suspects who are still on the run, allegedly committed the offences in May 2025.
Rondozai and his alleged accomplices went to David Matanda's residence in Chitungwiza at around 21:00 hours.
The suspects were allegedly travelling in a silver Honda Fit.
Two of the accused allegedly knocked on the door claiming to be police officers.
They told Matanda, the complainant in the case, that he was under arrest for an unspecified offence.
The two bogus cops took Matanda to their vehicle where he identified Rondozai, his former manager at a local security company.
It is alleged that the group assaulted Matanda with open hands, handcuffed and blindfolded him before driving him away.
The suspects allegedly held him against his will for about eight hours during which Matanda was ordered not to implicate Rondozai in any misappropriation of funds at the security company.
The complainant was also asked to explain how the security company secured its business contracts and how it provided security to its directors.
Rondozai and company allegedly threatened to harm Matanda if he reported them to police.
Prosecutors say the suspects later dumped Matanda along new Chitungwiza Road.
Fearing for his life, Matanda fled to South Africa and only returned home in December 2025.
Matanda later reported the matter at St Mary's Police Station leading to Rondozai's arrest.
