Ancilla Gotore

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – One of the suspects accused of cloning a bank card belonging to Kyle Preparatory School, depriving the institution of ZWL$1 756 000 unsuccessfully applied for discharge at the close of the State case on Wednesday.

Fungai Chirisa (39) of 14792 Zengeza 3 in Chitungwiza was arrested after he was captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) taking a video of a Kyle Prep matron paying for school groceries at TM Pick ‘n Pay in Masvingo.

After cloning the card Chirisa was further captured on CCTV buying ZWL$796 779.70 worth of goods at N. Richards and Chingwangwa Shop in Nyika.

He bought further goods at four other different shops in Mutare.

Chirisa who is remanded in custody was denied discharge by Magistrate Farai Gwitima. Godknows Mugondo prosecuted and the case will continue on January 10, 2023.

Chirisa’s alleged accomplice, Arthur Magungamoyo is at large and he was represented by Joseph Chipangura of Mutendi Mudisi Legal Practitioners.

Chirisa is charged with unauthorised use and possession of the credit or debit card.

It is the State case that between May 10 and 12, 2022 Kyle Prep lost ZWL$ 1 756 000 after their e-card was cloned.

On May 10, the card was given to the school matron, Lucy Mukono by the Bursar, Edfani Singadi to purchase groceries for the school.

She swiped for cheese worth ZWL$13 699-14 at TM Pick ‘n Pay and went back to school where she handed back the card to Singadi.

At 4 pm the same day, the card was duplicated and used to swipe goods worthy ZWL$346 779-70 at N Richards Nyika and ZWL$450 000 in Chingwangwa Shop at Nyika.

On May 12, 2022 the accused duo allegedly swiped ZWL$18 240 at Mutigwe Adoni Hobhouse, ZWL$440 at Chicken Inn in Chitepo, ZWL$357 500 at Mutemi Investment as well as ZWL$ 1 880 at Tembwe Chicken Inn in Mutare.

On May 12, Kyle Prep reported the matter. The case was realised after the card showed insufficient funds to purchase some supplies.

Police investigations led to the CCTV footage at Pick ‘n Pay and detectives observed Chirisa and his accomplice as prime suspects.

The footage showed Magungamoyo taking a video with his phone to capture card information while following closely behind the matron. The accused duo was monitored on the CCTV entering a blue Honda Fit registration number AEI 4979.

The accused were also observed on CCTV at outlets at Nyika and Mutare shops CCTV swiping with the duplicate. Chirisa was the one seen producing the duplicate card, entering the pin code on Point of Sale (POS) machines.

Nothing was recovered.

The CCTV footage and the mini laptop which was used to clone the card will be produced as evidence.