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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Former secretary and cash keeper for the Anglican Church Rebecca Savings Club, Barbra Matora (39) will perform 420 hours of community service at Warren Park Primary School after being convicted of embezzling US$25 796 from the club.
Harare magistrate Mrs Sharon Rakafa convicted Matora of theft of trust property and sentenced her to 42 months imprisonment, of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.
Of the remaining 38 months, 18 months were suspended on condition that she pays back the U$25 796 before October 31.
The remaining 20 months were commuted to 420 hours of community service, which she will serve at Warren Park Primary School
Prosecutor Mr Bonface Musvaire proved that Matora was the secretary and custodian of Rebecca Savings Club’s cash and records.
He told the court that sometime in January last year members of St James Anglican Church Warren Park 1, Harare formed a savings group known as Rebecca Savings Group, in which all members were entitled to contribute a minimum of US$30 to a maximum of US$300 as savings, plus US$5 emergency fee which was paid monthly.
Matora then unlawfully converted the US$2 163 to her own use and failed to account for the money upon demand by Rebecca Savings Club represented by Ms Nomsa Amin Nambale
Mr Musvaire further told the court that in December 2023, the members of the savings club held a meeting where they discussed and agreed that the members should be paid up by December 9.
Motora was requested to hand over the cash to the group for sharing. Mr Musvaire said that on December 4, Ms Nambale received information to the effect that Matora was arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station for a case of fraud.
Ms Nambale approached Matora and requested her to account for their money and she failed to do so.
The court heard that Ms Nambale and other members of Rebecca Savings Club then went to Matora’s place of residence and recovered an empty metal cash box from her sister who is called Mary.
The club’s members were prejudiced of US$25 796.
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