Supa Mandiwanzir's employees deny theft charges

THREE employees of Information deputy minister Supa Mandiwanzira and their accomplice facing allegations of stealing over $4 000 from his bedroom yesterday denied theft charges when their trial opened at the Harare Magistrates court.

Maid Esther Mawango (35), gardener Andrew Moyo (37), driver Nelson Jeke (41) and their alleged accomplice Francis Mawango (33) are facing charges of unlawful entry in aggravated circumstances.

Esther is already behind bars after she was convicted of stealing household goods valued at $4 000 from Mandiwanzira, while her accomplices are in custody.

The State alleges that on April 17 at around 7am the minister discovered that his $4 680 which was missing. Esther, the maid was subsequently questioned over the missing money because she was responsible for cleaning the minister's bedroom, but denied any knowledge of the money.

A police report was made at Borrowdale Police Station and investigations were launched.

Police detectives, however, received a tip-off on September 25 that Esther and her brother Francis had something to do with the missing cash.

The detectives went to Mawango Village in Rusape together with the minister where Francis admitted that he received money from Moyo wrapped in a tissue paper and ladies' socks on the pretext that it was medicine. Francis allegedly told the police that Esther had stolen the money with Moyo and Jeke.

The trial resumes Wednesday next week.