Lawyer jailed for stealing US$20 000

Zvishavane lawyer Margaret Dutiro has been jailed for an effective three years for stealing US$20 000 from one of her clients.

Dutiro of Eastlea suburb in Zvishavane, who was being jointly charged with her secretary, Rachel Moyo (20), had pleaded not guilty to theft charges when she appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Pathekile Msipa.

Dutiro was convicted after a full trial and sentenced to five years in prison, while Moyo was acquitted after the State failed to prove a case against her.

Mrs Msipa suspended one year from Dutiro’s sentence on condition of good behaviour, while another year was suspended on condition that she pays back the complainant, Mrs Judith Malame, the remaining US$10 000. Dutiro had already paid back the other US$10 000.

The State’s case was that on September 23 2009, Mrs Malame went to Dutiro and Partners law firm and handed US$20 000 to Ms Moyo.

The court heard that Mrs Malame bought a house from Mr Hiram Moyo and Dutiro was supposed to complete the legal documents before the money was handed over to the recipient.

Ms Moyo, the receptionist, who was in the company of Dutiro, took the money and locked it in a cash box in their offices. They went on to make a false report to the police that burglars had broken into their offices and stolen Mrs Malame’s money.

Dutiro was represented by Mr Hilary Garikayi of Garikayi and Co, while Mr Bonwell Balamanja appeared for the State.