Maid accused of stealing $1 face-powder from minister's wife acquitted

A Harare woman employed as a house maid at the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Samuel Undende's home, who was facing charges of stealing from her employer, has been acquitted.

Landena Chingwena was accused of stealing Black Opal face powder and a pair of scissors from the minister's wife.

Chingwena had a huge sigh of relief upon her acquittal on the charges of stealing face powder and a pair of scissors worth less than $2.

Chingwena insisted throughout the trial that she bought the face powder on the street for $1 and accused the minister's wife of ill-treatment.

In passing the judgement, the magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti said the face powder and a pair of scissors should be returned to Chingwena as there was no evidence linking her to the theft.  

The state was represented by Prosecutor Nancy Chandakaona.

Meanwhile, a Harare man, Lesley Muderedzi, who is facing charges of breaking into Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti's office at Rotten Row courts and allegedly stealing her mobile phone, has been found guilty by provincial magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe.

Muderedzi was remanded in custody for sentencing on Thursday.