Supa Mandiwanzira’s maid stole clothes, groceries, court told

HARARE – Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Supa Mandiwanzira’s maid and his gardener did not only steal money from him, but were also in the habit of stealing groceries and clothes valued at over US$5 000, the court heard yesterday.

Esther Mawango (35) and Andrew Moyo would steal Mandiwanzira’s clothes including designer suits and those of his wife and children.

His wife Ruth, the court heard, noticed that some groceries were disappearing from the house but Mawango would deny any knowledge of the missing staff.

Mawango and Moyo yesterday appeared before magistrate Ms Miriam Banda charged with theft.

They are also facing another charge of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances in another court in which they are accused of stealing close to US$5 000 cash from Mandiwanzira’s bedroom.

Mawango and Moyo yesterday admitted to having stolen the clothes and some groceries but are denying stealing the cash.

The value of clothes stolen by Mawango is US$4 965 while Moyo stole goods worth US$200.

Ms Banda ruled that the pair committed the offence out of greed before sentencing Mawango to an effective 10 months’ jail term.

She sentenced her to 16 months in prison before setting aside six months on condition of good behaviour. She then effected 10 months while Moyo escaped jail by a whisker.

Ms Banda slapped him with a four- month wholly suspended term for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.

In passing the sentence, Ms Banda said although they committed a similar offence, Mawango took a significant portion of the property over a long period of time.

She said the pair breached the trust bestowed on them by their employer hence a clear message should be sent that such offences are not tolerated.

In mitigation, Mawango and Moyo pleaded for the court’s leniency arguing that they committed the offence out of need not out of greed.

Ms Banda asked them how much they were earning when they were employed by Mandiwanzira and Mawango said she was earning US$220 per month while Moyo was getting US$250.

Sometime between February and September this year, prosecutor Ms Constance Ngombengombe told the court that Mandiwanzira noticed that a number of things were going missing in the house.

One day he placed US$1 600 in their headboard drawer but could not find the money the next day and questioned his wife Ruth who denied taking the money.

The pair questioned Mawango since she was the one who always cleaned the bedroom and she also denied ever seeing the money, prompting Mandiwanzira to make a police report.

On September 25 detectives received information that Mawango and her brother Francis had stolen the money.

The police proceeded to Mawango’s rural home in Rusape and that is when Mandiwanzira’s wife identified some of their clothes which Mawango’s relatives were wearing.

Mawango’s brother admitted to having received money from Moyo which was wrapped in a tissue paper and ladies’ stockings.

He also revealed to the police that Mawango had bought a stand and built a four-roomed cottage in Epworth.

Upon their arrest, Mawango led the police to Balancing Rocks Compound in Epworth where she had built her house with the stolen money. Also at that house Mrs Mandiwanzira identified some of her clothes.

Mawango and Moyo will be back in court today along with their accomplices to answer to charges of stealing the money. The Herald