Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A purchasing department overseer with JEHOVAH’S Witnesses Goodhope, Harare, has pleaded guilty of stealing US$24 000 from the church after selling its property before diverting the money to his own use
Blessing Chitiyo (37) pleaded guilty to charges of theft of trust property before Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
Chitiyo was employed by the church in the Purchasing Department. It was the State’s case that between December 12, 2025 and February 12 2026, Chitiyo allegedly sold various goods belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses of Zimbabwe, number 14 Beemaroad, Goodhope, Harare.
The court heard that the property includes Decolour led display screens, armoured cables and other assorted items on the invoices to ABC Auctions and Zunde Auctions on behalf of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Zimbabwe and received cash amounting to US$24 207 from the sale of the goods on auction on different dates.
It is alleged that Chitiyo authorised various individuals working under his supervision at Jehovah’s Witnesses in Goodhope, Harare to collect the cash from ABC Auctions and Zunde Auctions and the cash was handed to him.
The court heard that Chitiyo failed to make documentation to support the payment that had been made and converted the cash to his own use.
An internal investigation was carried out and it was discovered that the accused person received the payment and failed to account for the money received after converting it to his own use.
Total value stolen is US$24 207 and all was not recovered.
