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Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A WOMAN from Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo accused of stealing $13 000 in burial society funds told a magistrate the money “disappeared” in her wardrobe.
Beatrice Sibanda (48), a burial society treasurer, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Abednico Ndebele charged with theft.
She pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to October 20.
“I do not know what happened to the money. It was in my wardrobe the last time I checked. I placed it there after our meeting. When they came demanding some of it, I realised it was gone. I did not convert it to my own use.”
Prosecuting, Mr Kenneth Shava said Sibanda was entrusted to keep the burial society funds.
“On an unknown date between February 6 and 11, 2016, Sibanda, in violation of a trust agreement which required her to keep cash amounting to $13 238 on behalf of Simunye burial society and return it upon demand by Simunye Burial Society, converted the money to her own use.”
Simunye Burial Society’s president Ms Benita Sibanda told the court Sibanda kept the money as the treasurer of the society.
“We trusted her to keep our money safe as our treasurer and did not think that she would do this to us,” said the society president.
The court heard that on February 2 this year, the money in Sibanda’s possession was counted and amounted to $12 383.
The following day, the members held another meeting where subscription payments were made. A total of $341 was handed over to the society treasurer.
Another meeting was held on February 10 where $478 in subscriptions and $36 in fines was handed over to Sibanda.
Upon demand by the burial society, Sibanda allegedly failed to produce the money.
“The accused person failed to avail the money and thus converted it to her own use.” — @andile_tshuma
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