Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A 19 YEAR-OLD Rusape girl who stole her mother’s bank card to bankroll her boyfriend’s spending spree has been jailed.
Beauty Mhiripiri of Mabvazuwa suburb appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, facing theft charges.
She was jointly charged with her boyfriend, Anesu Emmanuel Muchemwa (23) of Vengere.
Beauty admitted stealing her mother, Sekai Mhiripiri’s CABS bank card and handing it to Muchemwa after he asked her for financial help.
She tried to shield him, claiming she never disclosed that the card belonged to her mother.
Muchemwa pleaded not guilty, insisting he only asked Beauty for money, and was unaware of the card’s origin.
Prosecutor, Ms Faith Mutukwa applied for separation of trial, with Muchemwa expected back in court soon.
Mr Mahwe convicted Beauty, and sentenced her to eight months in prison. Two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while another two were suspended if she restitutes US$675 to her mother by February 20, 2026.
The remaining four months were converted to 140 hours of community service at Rusape Magistrates’ Court.
In passing sentence, Mr Mahwe chastised Beauty for allowing herself to be influenced into committing a crime against her own mother, saying she was in “the wrong relationship.”
He added that instead of borrowing from Beauty, Muchemwa should have sought loans from microfinance institutions.
The court heard that Muchemwa withdrew US$610 on 16 occasions from CABS Rusape ATMs and other banking agents within a week, squandering the money.
“On January 7, 2026 to January 13, 2026 and at House Number 2796, Mabvazuwa Rusape, Beauty Mhiripiri, hatched a plan to steal from the complainant, and stole her CABS ATM card. On the period extending from the said dates, and at various outlets, Muchemwa unlawfully withdrew cash from the complainant’s CABS account.
“On January 13, 2026, the complainant discovered the offence, enquired with Beauty, but she said had no idea. The complainant filed a police report. Enquiries were made, an account statement was obtained, and a CCTV footage from CABS Rusape was also obtained. Muchemwa was detected withdrawing the money. Muchemwa was arrested and he implicated Beauty.
“Beauty was arrested, and she admitted committing the offence. The total value stolen together with bank charges is us$675 and nothing was recovered,” Ms Mutukwa told the court.
