News / Local
'Burial society funds disappears mysteriously'
05 Nov 2013 at 02:40hrs | Views
A 59-year-old Bulawayo woman who dipped her fingers into the coffers of her burial society and stole more than $4 000, which she squandered later claimed the money mysteriously disappeared from her suitcase.
The woman, Zandiwe Moyo was yesterday given up to 30 November to either pay back the money or languish in jail for 27 months.
Moyo, the treasurer of Chamachinda Burial Society and residing at Block Number 67041/2 Sizinda Flats, was convicted on her own plea of guilty to theft charges by West Commonage magistrate Mrs Tancy Dube.
She was sentenced to 36 months in jail of which nine months were suspended for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit a similar offence. The remaining 27 months were further suspended on condition that she restitutes $4 210 she stole from the burial society by 30 November through the clerk of court.
In mitigation Moyo pleaded with the court to give her more time to raise the money, arguing she was not employed and was also nursing her ailing 83-year-old mother, who constantly required expensive drugs.
She also blamed the devil for "playing tricks" that led to the alleged mysterious disappearance of the money.
"Your Worship I did not steal the money but I admit that it mysteriously disappeared while in my hands. I have been an honest treasurer of the burial society for the past 15 years and there is no way I would squander the money now. It was actually the plan of the devil because I had kept the money in a very secure place and I was shocked when on opening my suitcase which contained the money I discovered that it had disappeared," she said.
The magistrate, however, did not buy her story and went on to convict her of theft and sentenced her to 36 months in prison.
The prosecutor, Mr Frank Ncube, said between 20 and 29 September, Ncube has been keeping $4 221 belonging to Chamachinda Burial Society.
The court was told that Ncube later decided to convert the money to her own use. She then told members of the burial society that the cash had mysteriously disappeared from her suitcase.
When the members went to Ncube's house they discovered that there was no break-in and they reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest.
The woman, Zandiwe Moyo was yesterday given up to 30 November to either pay back the money or languish in jail for 27 months.
Moyo, the treasurer of Chamachinda Burial Society and residing at Block Number 67041/2 Sizinda Flats, was convicted on her own plea of guilty to theft charges by West Commonage magistrate Mrs Tancy Dube.
She was sentenced to 36 months in jail of which nine months were suspended for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit a similar offence. The remaining 27 months were further suspended on condition that she restitutes $4 210 she stole from the burial society by 30 November through the clerk of court.
In mitigation Moyo pleaded with the court to give her more time to raise the money, arguing she was not employed and was also nursing her ailing 83-year-old mother, who constantly required expensive drugs.
She also blamed the devil for "playing tricks" that led to the alleged mysterious disappearance of the money.
"Your Worship I did not steal the money but I admit that it mysteriously disappeared while in my hands. I have been an honest treasurer of the burial society for the past 15 years and there is no way I would squander the money now. It was actually the plan of the devil because I had kept the money in a very secure place and I was shocked when on opening my suitcase which contained the money I discovered that it had disappeared," she said.
The magistrate, however, did not buy her story and went on to convict her of theft and sentenced her to 36 months in prison.
The prosecutor, Mr Frank Ncube, said between 20 and 29 September, Ncube has been keeping $4 221 belonging to Chamachinda Burial Society.
The court was told that Ncube later decided to convert the money to her own use. She then told members of the burial society that the cash had mysteriously disappeared from her suitcase.
When the members went to Ncube's house they discovered that there was no break-in and they reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest.
Source - chronicle
