Supa Mandiwanzira loses US$5 000 to maid

By Tendai Rupapa

Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Supa Mandiwanzira reportedly lost nearly $5 000 to his maid who broke into his bedroom and stole the cash.

Esther Mawango (35) allegedly bought a stand and built a house in Epworth using proceeds from her criminal act. Yesterday, the maid was brought to court along with her three accomplices — her brother Francis Mawango (33), the gardener Andrew Moyo (37) and Nelson Jeke, who is employed as a driver.

They are facing charges of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances.

Magistrate Ms Rekina Dzikiti remanded them in custody to today for trial.

Prosecutor Ms Tatenda Murindagomo told the court that on April 17 2014, Mandiwanzira placed US$1 600 in his headboard drawer.

It is alleged that he could not find the money the following day and asked his wife, Ruth, who denied taking the money.

The court heard that Cde Mandiwanzira and his wife searched the room, but could not find the money.

The pair, it is alleged, questioned Esther since she was the one who always cleaned the bedroom.

She also denied ever seeing the money, prompting Mandiwanzira to report to the police.

It is the State’s case that on September 25 detectives received information that Esther and her brother Francis had allegedly stolen the money.

The police proceeded to Esther’s rural home in Rusape and questioned Francis who admitted to having received the money from Moyo which was wrapped in a tissue paper and ladies’ stockings.

He reportedly told the police that Moyo misrepresented to him that it was some medicine from his sister which he had to bury under a tree in Epworth.

Francis, the State further alleged, revealed to the police that his sister and her workmates had stolen the money and that Esther had bought a stand and built a four-roomed cottage in Epworth.

He allegedly told the detectives how they would steal money on different occasions and pass it to him for safekeeping.

At one point, Francis was asked by Esther to dig up the parcel from the ground and take US$1 000 which he gave to Sikereta Bumhira to buy building material, the court heard.

Francis said before removing the US$1 000 he counted the money which amounted to US$4 680. Upon their arrest, Esther led the police to Balancing Rocks Compound in Epworth, where she had built her house with the stolen money. The Herald