adminShamiso Dzingire Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO illegal money trader, popularly known as usiphatheleni, was yesterday sentenced to 210 hours of community service after stealing R25,000 from her colleagues.
Ruvimbo Mugavazi, 39, of Nkulumane suburb, borrowed money from Rachel Mukovo and Agnes Madvera and failed to pay it back.
Bulawayo magistrate, Adelaide Mbeure, convicted Mugavazi on her own plea of guilty to theft and sentenced her to a suspended 12 months imprisonment.
Mugavazi had pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.
“You are sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which three months are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Six months are further suspended on condition that you perform 210 hours of community service at Nkulumane ZRP and the remaining three months are suspended on condition that you restitute the complainants,” said magistrate Mbeure.
Prosecuting, Petronilla Ngwenya said on June 22, Mugavazi approached Mukovo and Madvera who are also money changers operating along Fort Street.
“Mugavazi asked for R12,500 from each of the two women, saying she had found a client who wanted to convert United States dollars into South African rand. Both women gave Mugavazi R12,500. She promised to return the money on that same day. She also volunteered to pay them in US dollars,” she said.
Ngwenya also told the court that Mugavazi disappeared soon after collecting the money prompting Mukovo and Madvera to look for her.
The court heard that on June 27, the two women met Mugavazi who promised to pay back the money before June 29.
“When they realised that Mugavazi was not forthcoming, they reported the matter at Bulawayo Central Police leading to her arrest,” said Ngwenya.
The total money stolen was R25,000 and only $200 was recovered.
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