CORPORATE FRAUD: Farm and City Manager Allegedly Gambles US$10,000 Rent Money on ‘Aviator’

Aviator betting game

HARARE – In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local retail sector, an area manager for Farm and City Private Limited appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Friday, accused of embezzling over US$10,200 to fund a gambling addiction. Justine Ngoshi (39) stands accused of siphoning corporate funds intended for property rentals and funneling them into the high-risk online betting game, Aviator, popularly known on the streets as “Kandege.”

According to state prosecutors, the financial misconduct occurred over seven months between July 31, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Ngoshi, in his capacity as an area manager, was responsible for collecting and remitting rental payments for the company’s Belgravia branch. The funds were earmarked for Sawyer and Mkushi Legal Practitioners, the firm representing the property owners. However, internal audits later revealed a staggering "twist": the payments never reached the legal firm’s accounts.

Instead, the state alleges that Ngoshi converted the total sum of US$10,200 for his personal use, specifically to place bets on the fast-paced digital platform. By the time the discrepancy was detected, the entire amount had been liquidated. To date, not a single cent has been recovered.

The case highlights a growing concern for Zimbabwean HR departments, the rise of addictive online gambling. Aviator, a "crash" game where players must cash out before a virtual plane flies away, has gained notoriety for its "near-miss" psychological triggers that lead to impulsive financial decisions.

"We are seeing an uptick in white-collar crime linked directly to digital betting platforms," noted a local forensic auditor. "When employees have access to large volumes of liquid cash without stringent daily oversight, the temptation to 'double the money' through these games becomes a massive corporate risk."

Ngoshi appeared before Harare Provincial Magistrate Michael Mafukidze. He has been remanded in custody pending a full bail hearing. The prosecution is expected to argue that the systematic nature of the theft over seven months demonstrates a significant breach of fiduciary duty.

Farm and City manager fraud