Online Reporter
Peter Matika
A BULAWAYO woman who tried to use an armed robbery as cover for her own inside job has been jailed for six years after stealing US$24 000 from her workplace.
Nothando Banana (35) was convicted of theft of trust funds after a dramatic October 15, 2024 incident in which robbers stormed her workplace and made off with US$32 500. While chaos reigned, Banana pocketed an extra US$24 400 from company funds and later blamed the robbers.
But her cover story fell apart during investigations.
She saw an opportunity during the robbery and grabbed it, quite literally. Banana tried to make it look like the robbers took all the money, but her story didn’t add up.
The robbers, armed with pistols and a garden pick, had indeed stormed the premises in a violent heist. However, it was Banana’s own sticky fingers that made her a second thief in the mix.
After initially being granted US$100 bail, her freedom was short-lived. The court found her guilty and sentenced her to an effective six years behind bars.
Banana’s failed attempt to pin the theft on the armed gang has raised eyebrows about how often criminals try to ride on the chaos of real crimes.
Police say investigations into the robbery are ongoing — but for Banana, justice has already been served.
