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Danisa Masuku
A WOMAN who allegedly duped more than 30 women, including a renowned businesswoman, of money kept for a birthday present, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate facing a theft of trust charge.
Patricia Mutandwa (33) appeared for trial before Bulawayo magistrate, Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe and pleaded not guilty to the charge. She was remanded out of custody to 20 May.
A court heard that in January, businesswoman Sipho Mazibuko formed a WhatsApp group and named it Esteemed Women of Zimbabwe, and invited her friends to join.
She sold an idea to start a pool fund where they would give the recipient money on her birthday to buy whatever she wanted.
The women embraced her idea and they chose Mutandwa to be the group administrator.
After that, they started the pool fund and contributed consistently to the fund. By virtue of being the group administrator, Mutandwa was chosen to collect the money from the members and send it to the recipient of any particular month. A total of US$1862 was contributed.
Instead of sending money to the respective recipient(s, she reportedly converted it to her personal use.
She was exposed after some of the members complained that they had not received their money for birthdays.
After that, the matter was reported to the police leading to her arrest.
Online Reporter