Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A FARM hand and a maid appeared in court last Friday after allegedly stealing over US$80 000 from their employer, a farmer.
Milton Mudimu (24) and Sarah Matemarunda (59) were charged with theft when they appeared before Harare Magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
He remanded them in custody to today for bail application. The incident occurred on August 10, 2025, when the complainant, Gift Mzilikazi (50), left his farm, trusting the two to manage his affairs in his absence.
The following day, Matemarunda called her employer and informed him that Mudimu had vanished without a trace, leaving her worried about the welfare of the chickens on the farm.
Attempts by Mzilikazi to reach Mudimu were futile, as his calls went unanswered.
When he arrived back at the farm on August 12, he was shocked to find his bedroom door unlocked, despite having locked it securely before leaving.
Mzilikazi also noticed that his digital safe, which was mounted to the wall, had been forcibly removed, and a substantial amount of money and valuables had vanished.
The stolen items included US$80 400 in cash, R4 000, live rounds of ammunition, and various foreign currencies: 300 Yuan, 200 Dirhams, 100 Rupees, and 30 Pounds.
Mzilikazi also discovered the empty safe hidden in the boot of his son’s Honda Fit, along with the live rounds of ammunition and Zimbabwean passports.
Mzilikazi quickly reported the theft to the police. As police began their investigations, Matemarunda was interrogated.
Under pressure, she led the officers to a stash of cash she had hidden inside her suitcase. Se had US$12 391, R1 360, 10 Pounds, 50 Rupees, 5 Dirhams, and 100 Yuan.
Her confession implicated Mudimu, who had already fled to South Africa, in an attempt to escape justice.
Authorities were able to track down the farm hand with the aid of his relatives and he was apprehended after illegally crossing into South Africa.
The money stolen was US$80 400, R4 000, 300 Yuan, 200 Dirhams, 100 Rupees, and 30 Pounds.
