A shift manager at Simbisa Bakers Inn, William Gonese (28), was sentenced to 10 months in jail for stealing US$3,420 from his workplace to fund online gambling during a night shift.
Gonese, who lives in Unit M, Seke in Chitungwiza, admitted to the theft in court, saying he hoped to impress his new wife by winning enough money to repay the stolen funds and make a profit.
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/bid-to-impress-girlfriend-backfires/">The Herald</a>, initially, Harare Magistrate Lynne Chinzou sentenced Gonese to 30 months in prison.
However, 12 months were suspended for five years on the condition of good behaviour, and another eight months were suspended if Gonese repays the stolen amount. This leaves him with 10 months to serve in jail.
Prosecutor Audrah Chitoro told the court that Gonese was given a float of US$3,420 to serve customers at the Bakers Inn outlet on Chinhoyi Street in Harare.
During his shift, Gonese used the funds for online betting through InnBucks deposits, hoping to multiply the money.
At around 3:08 AM, he confessed to audit manager Yusufu Bruce that he had lost US$470 in cash and US$2,950 in InnBucks deposits while gambling.
A reconciliation confirmed the full amount was missing, leading to Gonese’s arrest and charge for theft.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A man named William Gonese who worked at Bakers Inn stole $3,420 to gamble online. He wanted to win money to impress his wife. He was caught and sentenced to 10 months in jail, but could avoid some of the time if he repays the stolen amount. Gonese was supposed to use the money to serve customers at work, but used it for betting instead. He ended up losing all the money. Now he has to go to jail for stealing.

Bakers Inn Manager Who Stole US$3,420 To Fund Online Gambling Jailed

William Gonese, a 28-year-old shift manager at Bakers Inn, stole US$3,420 from his workplace during a single night shift to fund online betting on a platform called Aviator.
According to a report by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/manager-in-court-for-theft/">The Herald</a>, Gonese hoped that by the end of the shift, he would not only be able to repay the stolen amount but also generate enough profit to impress his new wife.
Gonese, who resides in Unit M, Seke in Chitungwiza, pleaded guilty to theft before Harare Magistrate Lynne Chinzou and was subsequently convicted. Sentencing is scheduled for Saturday, January 4.
In court, Gonese explained his motive for the crime and said he intended to win money to impress his new wife. He said:
<blockquote>
Your Worship, my intention was not to steal, but to win more money. I started betting with US$350, and as I kept trying my luck, I ended up spending all the US$3 420. My girlfriend recently eloped with me, and I wanted to impress her if I had won the money.
</blockquote>
Prosecutor Audrah Chitoro told the court that last week on Saturday, Gonese was entrusted with a float of US$3,420 to serve customers at a Bakers Inn outlet on Chinhoyi Street in Harare.
However, by around 3:08 AM the following day, Gonese called Simbisa Bakers Inn audit manager Yusufu Bruce to confess that he had lost US$470 in cash and US$2,950 in InnBucks deposits through online betting.
In response to Gonese’s call, Bruce conducted a reconciliation at the shop, which confirmed that the entire amount of US$3,420 had been misappropriated.
With no funds recovered, Bruce filed a police report, leading to Gonese’s arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

William Gonese, a man who worked at Bakers Inn, took $3,420 to gamble online in one night. He wanted to impress his new wife by winning more money, but he lost it all. Gonese admitted to the theft in court and will be sentenced soon. He called his manager to confess that he lost the money. The manager checked and found out the money was gone. The police got involved and Gonese got arrested for the crime. So, he ended up with no money and in trouble with the law.

Bakers Inn Manager Embezzles US$3,420 For Online Gambling, Ends Up With Nothing

Businesses in Zimbabwe are grappling with supply chain management challenges posed by the country’s dual currency system, where transactions can be conducted using both the United States dollar and the locally-introduced ZiG currency.
Zimbabwe adopted a multi-currency framework in 2009, with the majority of transactions since then being carried out in foreign currencies.
However, in April 2024, the government introduced a new gold-backed currency, called the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), to replace the RTGS dollar, which had lost 80% of its value since the beginning of the year.
The challenges posed by this dual currency regime have come to the forefront after Simbisa Brands, a major Zimbabwean company, wrote to its suppliers seeking a modification to their payment terms. The letter states:
<blockquote>
Given the trading environment where we are receiving less than 50% of our sales in United States dollars, we find ourselves unable to settle our suppliers exclusively in US dollars on the current terms. We are therefore writing this letter to request a change in payment terms effective immediately.
The new terms will be as follows: Simbisa to settle 50% of the before VAT (value added tax) invoice amount in USD and the balance to be converted and settled in ZiG. VAT thereon will be settled 100% in USD in line with Zimra requirements. Other terms remain the same as agreed, supplier to continue invoicing in USD 100%.
</blockquote>
Speaking to The Independent, economist Chenaimoyo Mutambasere said suppliers are now increasingly demanding payments in United States dollars due to the volatility of the ZiG. She said:
<blockquote>
Businesses in Zimbabwe, including Simbisa Brands, are navigating complex challenges due to the dual currency system.
The partial payment of sales in US dollars creates significant complications in managing supply chains.
Many suppliers now demand payment in USD due to the volatility of the ZiG, especially considering the fact that international suppliers and certain key inputs can only be sourced with foreign currency.
This has put immense pressure on businesses to maintain adequate United States dollar reserves…
Many businesses, including Simbisa, are increasingly forced to negotiate payment terms in USD to avoid the risks associated with the local currency.
</blockquote>
Another economist Prosper Chitambara said it makes sense for people to change their U.S. dollars on the black market into the local ZiG currency and then use the ZiG to pay for services or goods. Said Chitambara:
<blockquote>
Given the destruction that we were witnessing on the foreign exchange markets, it actually makes sense for people to pay for services or even for goods using ZiG.
But of course that then affects a lot of businesses that are not able to have their foreign exchange requirements fully satisfied on the interbank market.
So, because of the distortions, it actually makes sense for a person to change his USD on the black market into ZiG then go into a formal retail outlet and buy commodities.
I think this letter by Simbisa shows they are also feeling the impact. They are not able to fully mobilise foreign exchange through the interbank market. They are just trying to make sure that at least 50% of their payment will be in USD.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Businesses in Zimbabwe are having a hard time managing both the US dollar and the new ZiG currency. Many companies like Simbisa Brands are struggling to pay their suppliers in US dollars because they are getting less income in that currency. Suppliers want US dollars because the ZiG is unreliable. Some experts say it might be better to use ZiG for payments, but many companies still need US dollars. This is causing a lot of problems for businesses in Zimbabwe.

Currency Chaos: Businesses Struggle With Multi-Currency System

A ZANU PF youth member was on Friday afternoon reportedly assaulted for putting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s campaign posters outside a fast food outlet, Chicken lnn in Chegutu.
The youth identified as Ngonidzashe Chakandika allegedly defied instructions from Chicken Inn employees to remove the campaign posters he had earlier pasted on a pole close to the outlet.
An aspiring ZANU PF Member of Parliament (MP) for Chegutu West, Last Farai Chigavazira, confirmed the incident to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-zanu-pf-youth-bashed-for-pasting-mnangagwa-poster-at-chicken-lnn-outlet/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s true. The name of the youth attacked is Ngonidzashe Chakandika. He was assaulted by Chicken Inn staff for sticking the President’s poster on a ZESA powerline pole that is opposite Chicken Inn.
The Chicken lnn staff claim that they were instructed by the Branch Manager to remove any poster that was close to their premises.
The matter was reported to Chegutu Central Police Station and the police are on top of the issue.
</blockquote>
Videos of the incident, in which Chicken lnn workers assaulted Chakandika, have gone viral on social media platforms.
Chicken lnn operates under Simbisa Brands, which is a subsidiary of  Innscor Africa Limited, a conglomerate that has recently been subjected to fierce criticism by the ZANU PF-led government for allegedly sparking currency volatility.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Activist Assaulted For Pasting Mnangagwa Poster At Chicken Inn Outlet

Simbisa Brands managing director Warren Meares has said they do not consider Chicken Slice as a competitor.
This came after Chicken Slice founder and chief executive officer <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tawanda_Mutyebere">Tawanda Mutyebere</a> on Thursday accused Simbisa Brands-owned Chicken Inn of bullying.
Chicken Inn’s application at the High Court in 2019 seeking an interdict against Chicken Slice using what it termed its trademarks was dismissed by High Court judge Justice Sylvia Chirawu-Mugomba last month.
Mutyebere told NewsDay on Thursday that Chicken Inn had wasted his company’s resources fighting “unnecessary” legal battles.
Responding to Mutyebere’s remarks that Chicken Inn used “tricks of a bully”, Meares said they do not even consider Chicken Slice a competitor but a “copycat”. He said:
<blockquote>
We have got no qualms or animosity with Mr Mutyebere in any way. If anything, concerning Mr Mutyebere — and you are someone on the street, wherever we go, he follows.
We went to Braeside, he followed, we went to Walk Tall West End, he followed, Kadoma he followed, we went to Gweru and he followed, and we were in Bulawayo he followed.
When I see him, I stop and have a chat. I don’t have any qualms with him. If anything, I love the fact that he can become successful, and competition is good.
I see KFC (an American global chicken fast-food store, with outlets in Zimbabwe) more as competition than Chicken Slice.
KFC is an international brand. It is a big name, it is a strong name, which is real competition.
Chicken Slice is our little brother who is copying us.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006897/senate-passes-pvos-billas-usaid-warns-of-funding-threat">NewsDay</a>

"We Consider KFC Our Competitor, And Not Chicken Slice"

Innscor Holdings’ Simbisa Brands, the quick service restaurant which owns Chicken Inn and Nandos among others, is seeking approval to make a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investments Markets (AIM). The group is seeking approval from regulators and shareholders to list on the LSE AIM, in order to get more funding for expansion.
In a statement, the group said:
<blockquote>Shareholders are advised that the Simbisa Brands Limited Board of Directors has approved, subject to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, other regulatory approvals and shareholder’s approval, the application for a secondary listing of Simbisa’ Ordinary Share Capital on the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investments Markets (AIM) in order to access additional funding for the Company’s expansion.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://source.co.zw/2017/07/simbisa-seeks-secondary-listing-on-the-lse-aim/">Source</a>

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