Three women’s soccer bosses up for $20,000 theft

Harare Bureau
Suspended Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League chairperson Miriam Sibanda and her two accomplices who were board members yesterday appeared in court for allegedly stealing $20,000 meant to buy tickets for the Mighty Warriors team to fly to Ghana.

Sibanda, 54, Benny Mamoche, 45, and Fungai Magoswongwe, 35, were facing charges of theft of trust property when they appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe.

Mahwe freed the trio on $100 bail at the State’s consent.

As part of their bail conditions the three were ordered not to interfere with witnesses and investigations.

The trio will be back in court on February 29.

Allegations are that the trio approached Freda Rebecca Mine in Bindura through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development offices in Harare and requested a donation in cash which was meant to cater for air tickets for the Mighty Warriors team to fly to Ghana.

The court heard that on March 18, 2015 following their request for the said donation, the trio were invited to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development where they received a donation of cash amounting $20, 000 originating from Freda Rebecca Mine.

It is the State’s case that Mamoche accepted the money on behalf of the trio and he allegedly signed for it as an acknowledgement of receipt.

The court heard that after that the trio, while acting in common purpose, failed to remit the money to the Zifa finance manager but instead converted the money to their own use.