William Gonese, a 28-year-old shift manager at Simbisa Bakers Inn, took $3,420 from his workplace during a night shift to gamble on the online betting platform Aviator. Gonese hoped to win enough money to return the stolen amount and still have extra cash to impress his new wife, but his plans failed when he lost everything.
Gonese, who resides in Seke, Chitungwiza, appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms. Lynne Chinzou, where he admitted to theft. He confessed that his intention was not to steal but to make quick profits through betting. He was convicted of the crime, with sentencing scheduled for the following day.
In court, Gonese explained that he began betting with $350 and kept going, believing he could recover his losses. Instead, he gambled away the entire $3,420. “Your Worship, I was trying to win money to impress my wife, who recently moved in with me,” Gonese told the court.
Prosecutor Ms. Audrah Chitoro said Gonese was responsible for $3,420 during his shift at a Bakers Inn outlet in Harare. Around 3:00 a.m., Gonese called the company’s audit manager, Mr. Yusufu Bruce, admitting he had lost $470 in cash and $2,950 in InnBucks deposits to online gambling. A review of the shop’s finances confirmed the full amount was missing.
