News / National
Municipality worker steals water meters
26 Mar 2018 at 11:25hrs | Views
A Chitungwiza Municipality worker has been brought before a Chitungwiza magistrate facing allegations of stealing three water meters worth $150.
Represented by her defence counsel Phillip Hamunakwadi of Hamunakwadi and Muzvaba Law Chambers, Patricia Kufa who is employed as a Clerk under Water department, pleaded not guilty to theft charges before magistrate Blessing Murwisi.
During the trial the defence counsel put the blame on the witnesses citing that their state case was a fabrication against the accused.
In this matter, Chitungwiza Municipality is being represented by Bigboy Mamwidze who is the Risk and Loss Control Officer.
The State led by Tendai Katonha, told the court that in March last year, Chitungwiza Municipality received a donation of 4500 Water meters from Zimfund donors and they were kept in Chitungwiza Municipality's central stores where the accused works.
The State alleges that during the period extending from September last year to January this year the accused person stole three water meters and sold them to Taurai Zigomo at a value of $15 each.
It was heard in court that police detectives received information that the accused was selling donated water meters.
Investigations were conducted and the accused person was arrested.
Prosecuting, Katonha told magistrate Murwisi that three water meters which were sold to Zigomo were recovered after he had installed them to three different people.
The defence counsel actually put the blame to the witnesses who stammered when testifying before the court and gave different versions of the story.
Chitungwiza Municipality representative Maramwidze testified in court saying his duties included investigation of crime on behalf of Chitungwiza Municipality.
"I know the accused not only in connection with this case but as a fellow employee.
"Sometime in March last year, Chitungwiza Municipality received 3600 by 15mm domestic water meters and 900 by 20mm commercial water meters from Zimfund.
"She is the one who was keeping storeroom keys.
"I got to know of this matter after a tip off from a person and then I lodged a complaint with the police leading to her arrest."
The matter will be back in court on March 29 for trial continuation.
Represented by her defence counsel Phillip Hamunakwadi of Hamunakwadi and Muzvaba Law Chambers, Patricia Kufa who is employed as a Clerk under Water department, pleaded not guilty to theft charges before magistrate Blessing Murwisi.
During the trial the defence counsel put the blame on the witnesses citing that their state case was a fabrication against the accused.
In this matter, Chitungwiza Municipality is being represented by Bigboy Mamwidze who is the Risk and Loss Control Officer.
The State led by Tendai Katonha, told the court that in March last year, Chitungwiza Municipality received a donation of 4500 Water meters from Zimfund donors and they were kept in Chitungwiza Municipality's central stores where the accused works.
The State alleges that during the period extending from September last year to January this year the accused person stole three water meters and sold them to Taurai Zigomo at a value of $15 each.
It was heard in court that police detectives received information that the accused was selling donated water meters.
Investigations were conducted and the accused person was arrested.
The defence counsel actually put the blame to the witnesses who stammered when testifying before the court and gave different versions of the story.
Chitungwiza Municipality representative Maramwidze testified in court saying his duties included investigation of crime on behalf of Chitungwiza Municipality.
"I know the accused not only in connection with this case but as a fellow employee.
"Sometime in March last year, Chitungwiza Municipality received 3600 by 15mm domestic water meters and 900 by 20mm commercial water meters from Zimfund.
"She is the one who was keeping storeroom keys.
"I got to know of this matter after a tip off from a person and then I lodged a complaint with the police leading to her arrest."
The matter will be back in court on March 29 for trial continuation.
Source - hmetro
