Side Chick Snitches On Cashier Who Stole US$48 000 And Fled To Zambia

By Staff Reporter
Cashier Who Vanished With US$48 000 Finally Caught After Side Chick Snitches To Police
A former wholesale cashier who allegedly vanished with more than US$48 000 (about R855,000) destined for the bank has been jailed after a dramatic manhunt that ended across the border in Zambia. Authorities say the fugitive’s luck finally ran out after a tip-off from a woman described in court as his side chick led investigators to his whereabouts.

The 34-year-old Rusape man admitted stealing the money before fleeing Zimbabwe, where he allegedly started a new life under a false identity.

How The US$48 000 Theft And Zambia Escape Unfolded
The Manica Post reports that Tawanda Manzinde (34), a former cashier at N Richards Wholesale in Rusape, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe after being extradited from Zambia.

The court heard that Manzinde stole US$48,445 (approximately R863,000) together with ZiG2,000 between 17 April and 22 April 2025. The money had been entrusted to him for safekeeping before it was due to be banked after the Independence Day public holiday.

Instead of depositing the cash, prosecutors said he disappeared.


According to prosecutor Faith Mutukwa, police investigations initially led to the recovery of only US$1,242 (about R22,100) hidden in a hole at his Rusape home.

“On the period extending from April 17, 2025 and April 22, 2025, Manzinde who was employed as a cashier at N Richards Wholesale, Rusape took cash amounting to US$48,445 which he was entrusted by the company to safe keep, and to bank it after holiday. Manzinde, however, took the cash, and fled from work to Zambia,” Mutukwa told the court.

She added that the matter was reported to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Rusape Central on 22 April 2025, triggering investigations.

Side Chick Tip-Off Leads Interpol To Fugitive
The Manica Post reports that a breakthrough came on 4 June 2026 when authorities received information that Manzinde was living in Zambia.

The case was referred to Interpol NCB Harare, which worked with Interpol NCB Lusaka to secure his arrest.

Investigators allege Manzinde had obtained a fake Zambian identity card and was living under the name Charles Banda.

“On June 9, Manzinde was arrested by Interpol NCB Lusaka, Zambia… He had fraudulently acquired a fake Zambian identity card and had changed his names to Charles Banda,” Mutukwa told the court.

Reports indicate that information leading to his arrest came after a dispute with a woman described as his side chick, who allegedly alerted authorities to his whereabouts.

Court Hears How The Money Was Allegedly Spent
During investigations, Manzinde allegedly admitted using the stolen money to establish a new life in Chirundu, Zambia.

According to the Manica Post, detectives were told he bought two vehicles—a Honda Fit and a Toyota Daihatsu—opened two bottle stores and purchased a 25m x 25m residential stand where he built a five-roomed house.

The court convicted him on his own guilty plea.

Magistrate Tendai Mahwe sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, suspending one year on condition of good behaviour for five years. The remaining six years were suspended on condition that he immediately repay the stolen money.

Because he failed to make restitution, he was committed to serve an effective six-year prison sentence.

The prosecution told the court that the property recovered amounted to only US$1,240 and ZiG1,440, leaving most of the stolen funds unaccounted for.