HARARE - The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has lost over $40 000 after its acting accounting officer allegedly pocketed money meant for employees.

Lovemore Ncube, 29, allegedly converted to his personal use $40 800 which was meant for employees to buy stands.

Ncube appeared before magistrate Anita Tshuma on 65 counts of theft of trust property.

According to state papers, GMB offered a housing loan facility to its employees to buy stands.

GMB would hold title deeds of the stands until full payment was made.

Ncube’s duties include processing loans for employees and ensuring the money is transferred from the GMB account into beneficiaries’ accounts.

The court heard between January and June this year, Ncube lied to his workmates that he had relatives from the Diaspora who wanted to send him money through various accounts.

He allegedly asked for their bank accounts which he was given.

It is alleged Ncube transferred $39 300 into his workmates accounts purporting that they were beneficiaries of GMB housing scheme.

He allegedly asked the account holders to withdraw the money and give it to him, thereby prejudicing the company.

According to state papers, Ncube was also involved in ensuring the GMB housing scheme provincial representatives were given $100 worth of airtime for communication.

Ncube, the court heard, also received $1 500 for monthly airtime of employees and converted it to his own use.

As a result of Ncube’s alleged fraudulent actions, GMB suffered a prejudice of $40 800 and nothing was recovered.

Magistrate Tshuma remanded Ncube out of custody on a $200 bail.

He will be back in court on December 28. - Ivine Zhakata