Maids splash boss’ cash on cars, houses

of Shamva, Rebecca Kawe (28) of Zengeza 4 and Sheila Nyandoro (30) of Unit K in Chitungwiza pleaded not guilty to theft charges when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei who denied them bail.
Mr Ndirowei remanded the trio to November 1.
Earlier on the maids had admitted to the charge when they appeared before regional magistrate Mr Themba Kuwanda.
They, however, altered their plea to that of not guilty when Tsekwete’s lawyer Mr Nicholas Chikono of Mhiribidi, Ngarava and Moyo law firm came to represent his client.
Mr Kuwanda then referred the case to another court for bail consideration.
Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on April 21 this year, the maids were doing their normal duties of cleaning the house.
In the course of her duties, Kawe stumbled upon cash amounting to US$700 000, which Mr Farogh had left in one of the drawers in the kitchen.
She allegedly approached Tsekwete and Nyandoro and informed them about the money before they connived to steal it.
Kawe allegedly took the money and hid it in the cottage, which they were using as staff quarters, and on the same day Mr Farogh left for Gweru.
Upon his departure, the trio shared the money equally among themselves before leaving for their respective homes, says the State.
Mr Farogh discovered the offence on his return and filed a police report.
Kawe, Tsekwete and Nyandoro continued to work for Mr Farogh, but later resigned.
Police investigations led to the arrest of the trio.
At the time of their arrest Tsekwete had allegedly bought two houses in Shamva, a Mazda 323 and had US$8 500 cash.
Kawe allegedly bought a residential property in St Marys, Chitungwiza and a Mitsubishi Canter lorry before she squandered the rest of her share while Nyandoro bought a house in Unit K, Chitungwiza and a Honda CRV.
Mr Chakurira alleged that the three bought the properties using other people to evade detection.