Gardener, maid up for US$35k theft

Wilbert Maambirwi (centre) and Tariro Manda (right) are escorted into the Harare Magistrates’ Courts to face charges of stealing clothes, shoes and cutlery worth US$35 000 from their employer.

Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent

A HOUSEMAID and a gardener from Borrowdale, Harare, appeared in court yesterday, facing allegations of colluding to steal US$35 000 and 40 000 Tanzanian Shillings from their employer.

Gardener Wilbert Maambirwi (58) and Tariro Manda (25) were charged with theft of trust property when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai and were remanded in custody until today for a bail application.

Gift Muzilikazi, a self-employed businessman, employed the two.

He owns clothing shops in Harare central business district and stores clothes and shoes in his garage for delivery to the shops as needed.

It is alleged that between January last year and this month, Maambirwi and Manda stole clothes, shoes and cutlery, on multiple occasions, taking them to their homes for resale.

Last month Mr Muzilikazi discovered the theft and reported it to the police.

During investigation, detectives questioned the accused, both of whom admitted to the theft, leading to the recovery of stolen property valued at US$16 000.