Apostolic faith church treasurer steals burial society funds

A BULAWAYO woman stole more than $15, 000 from a church burial society fund and squandered it on luxuries.

Mavis Shonai of Pumula North suburb allegedly converted $10, 847 and R57, 599 belonging to Vision Burial Society to her own use, abusing her position as treasurer to exploit the trust of church members.

Shonai is the treasurer of the group whose membership is largely drawn from Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa congregants.

Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube heard how Shonai had siphoned cash from the fund when she appeared in court facing a theft charge.

Prosecuting, Frank Ncube told how between July 2010 and March 2013, Shonai would steal cash from the fund until an audit revealed that money was missing.

"Shonai was given $29, 352, 30 and 113, 553 rand by Vision Burial Society for safekeeping. However, during a meeting at one of the Tashas shops in Bulawayo, an audit was carried during which it was discovered that part of the money was missing from the coffers," said Ncube.

Shonai could not explain what had happened to the money. Church members were so angry that they abandoned the Biblical principle that ‘Vengeance is for the Lord,' and reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest. Only an undisclosed portion of the money was recovered.

Shonai was not asked to plead to theft charges. She was remanded out of custody to January 28 for trial.