Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A 41-YEAR-OLD man accused of stealing US$128 000 from a Borrowdale woman after allegedly being tipped off by his girlfriend, who worked as the complainant’s maid, has appeared in court.
Phillip Nyasha Mushanawani appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, facing a charge of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances.
The State opposed bail and Mushanawani was remanded in custody until tomorrow for a ruling on his bail application.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu alleged that on June 8, 2026, the complainant, Margaret Zvinavashe, travelled with Mushanawani and his alleged accomplice, Linda Mubure, to Borrowdale, with the intention to make payment for a new house.
The transaction did not materialise and the trio returned home with US$128 000 in cash, which was allegedly stored in a wardrobe in the complainant’s bedroom.
The court heard that Mushanawani and Mubure, who were allegedly in a romantic relationship, then conspired to steal the money. As part of their plan, they allegedly made duplicate keys to the complainant’s bedroom.
On June 10 at around 9am, Ms Zvinavashe instructed Mubure to secure the house by locking all doors and windows before the family left for their farm in Norton. However, it is alleged that Mubure deliberately left the main entrance unlocked and alerted Mushanawani that the occupants had left.
Mushanawani allegedly went to the residence, entered through the unlocked door and used the duplicate keys to gain access to the complainant’s bedroom. He is accused of stealing the US$128 000 from the wardrobe.
Upon returning from the farm, Ms Zvinavashe allegedly discovered that the house had not been locked despite there being no signs of a break-in.
She then found her bedroom door open and clothes in the wardrobe disturbed.
The court further heard that the complainant noticed Mubure busy deleting WhatsApp conversations with Mushanawani.
When she tried to stop her, Mubure allegedly refused and erased the messages.
Investigations later led to Mushanawani’s arrest on June 13.
According to the State, investigations revealed that after the alleged theft, Mushanawani sent photographs via WhatsApp showing envelopes stuffed with cash to other accomplices who remain at large.
The images were allegedly shared shortly after the stolen money had been divided among the suspects before the conversations were deleted.
