Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A HOUSEMAID, who stole her elderly employer’s clothing outfit worth US$250 before hastily quitting her job, has been arrested and convicted of the offence.
Vanessa Nyanhewe, 20, of Kazozo Village, Chief Katerere, appeared before Nyanga magistrate Notebulgar Muchineripi, facing charges of stealing from her employer, Jane Makombe, 72.
She was not represented and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Muchineripi sentenced Nyanhewe to 12 months imprisonment before suspending four months, for the next three years, on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining eight months were set aside on condition that she performs 280 hours of community service.
Prosecutor Nyasha Sesenyai told the court that Nyanhewe stole the clothes before quitting her job.
She was found in possession of some of the clothes valued at US$55 and the rest was not recovered.
“The accused person is Makombe’s former housemaid.
“On April 18 2026, the accused person, who was working as a housemaid at the complainant’s homestead, advised Makombe that she no longer wanted to continue to work for her.
“On the same day, at around 10am, she packed her belongings but before she left the complainant suspected that she might have stolen from her.
“The complainant then searched her bag and found nothing.
“On April 20, 2026, the complainant noticed that some of her clothes, namely 1 x black tracksuit, 1 x orange tracksuit, 1 x pink tracksuit, pollyneck jersey, 3x leggings, pink scissors, Adidas tennis shoes, two t-shirts, and a black jacket were missing whilst she was preparing to go for a church conference.”
Sesenyai added: “The complainant then contacted her sister-in-law Phillis Makombe and asked her to approach Nyanhewe and ask her for her clothes.
“The accused person then admitted to Phillis Makombe that she took the clothes and then returned 1 x black tracksuit, 1 x orange tracksuit, 1 x pink tracksuit, a polly neck jersey and three leggings, all worth US$55.
“The accused could not surrender the remaining clothes and refused to comment on their whereabouts.
“The total value stolen is US$250 and value recovered is US$55,” said Sesenyai.
