(The Price of Hiring Without Doing Background Checks Lessons from the Kupakwashe Dumba Fraud Case)
Let’s talk about trust that sweet word every entrepreneur loves until it breaks their business like a cheap plastic chair.
Recently, the Zimbabwe Republic Police put out a notice about Kupakwashe Ralph Dumba, a 23-year-old who allegedly pulled off a ZWG 452,000 fraud (about USD 16,000) from his employer.
My brother didn’t win the lotto he just became creative with POS machines.
And just like that, one ambitious “insurance officer” turned into a walking company loss statement.
Lesson 1: Background Checks Are Not a Luxury They’re a Survival Tool
Some entrepreneurs hire people like they’re giving out church flyers. “Ah, he looks decent, speaks good English, says he worked somewhere in town give him the job!”
Then three months later, you’re in the boardroom asking, “Who took the money?” And the accountant replies, “Sir, the money took itself.”
Before you hire anyone**, know who you’re bringing into your business. **Do a background check. Ask where they worked. Call their references. And please get police clearance.
It’s cheaper than recovering stolen money later. Even the Bible says, “Watch and pray,” not “Hire and hope.”
Lesson 2: Bookkeeping Is Not Just for Accountants
Dumba got away with his fraud because no one was reviewing the books frequently. Imagine six months of duplicated POS receipts, and nobody noticed? That’s not just theft; that’s negligence.
Entrepreneur, let’s be honest: If you don’t look at your books regularly, your business will start telling lies.
Make it a habit to:
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Review transactions weekly
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Match invoices to actual cash movements
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Check your expense trends
Because sometimes the biggest losses don’t come from bad sales they come from good thieves with access to bad systems.
Lesson 3: Systems Protect You from Smiling Criminals
You can’t run a business in 2025 using trust as your security system. If everyone in your office can access everything, you’re not running a company you’re running a buffet.
Install proper systems with restricted access. Your sales rep doesn’t need to see your bank reconciliations. Your cashier doesn’t need to edit invoices. Your intern doesn’t need admin passwords.
Let the system record every transaction. That way, when something goes wrong, you can trace who touched what, when, and why.
Remember systems don’t get tired, don’t gossip, and don’t lie.
Lesson 4: Trust Is Not a Strategy
Entrepreneurs love to say, “I trust my team.” Beautiful. But remember Judas also had access to the treasury.
Trust is good, but verification is better. Even your own cousin working for you must account for every dollar. Not because you suspect them but because systems build discipline, and discipline builds success.
Final Thought
Kupakwashe’s story is not just a police headline it’s a business case study. It reminds us that:
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Hiring needs verification.
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Bookkeeping needs attention.
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Systems need restrictions.
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Trust needs boundaries.
So, the next time someone walks into your office with a nice smile and a fancy CV, remember: That’s how most fraud stories begin.
Do your checks, review your books, lock your systems and keep your business safer than your Wi-Fi password.
Because in business, “I didn’t know” is the most expensive sentence you’ll ever say.
Entrepreneurs, protect your business before it’s too late. Don’t hire on trust hire with proof. Set up background checks, bookkeeping reviews, and internal controls that actually work. If you need help tightening your systems or training your team call or WhatsApp +263 77 961 9739 (Zimbabwe)or +260 972 936 033 (Zambia). Let’s build businesses that can’t be stolen one system at a time.
By The Chartered Vendor
#EntrepreneurshipZW #BusinessLessons #FraudPrevention #AfricanEntrepreneurship #LeadershipZW #BusinessSystems #Bookkeeping #StartupAfrica #BusinessEthics #ZimbabweBusiness
