adminShamiso Dzingire Court Reporter
A BURIAL society treasurer has been convicted of stealing $17,000 from the organisation’s coffers. Hurdson Basira, 53, of Northend suburb in Bulawayo, violated the trust bestowed upon him by members of Rubatsiro Zvakanaka Burial Society, a court heard on Friday. He converted the money, which was not recovered, to his own use until he was caught.
Members of the burial society gave Basira time to pay back the money but he failed to do so, prompting them to report the matter at Nkulumane police station. Basira appeared before Western commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa Marondedze facing a theft charge. Msipa Marondedze convicted Basira on his own plea of guilty and remanded him in custody to today for sentencing.
Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, Basira asked for forgiveness and pleaded with the court to give him time to pay back the money. He said: “May the Honourable court give me time to sell my house and pay back the money to the burial society. “I’m also expecting some money from my pension fund any time from now.”
“I’m the sole breadwinner and my children are still attending school and I’m of ill health, suffering from diabetes.” For the state, Maria John said sometime between 2000 and March 2013, Basira was given $17,741,15 for safe keeping.
She said in April this year, one of the burial society’s members lost his mother-in-law and when he went to claim his benefits, it was discovered that there was only $214 in the cash box.
The cashbox was kept by the trustee Alford Murumbi whilst Basira kept the keys. “When confronted, Basira admitted to having taken the money. “He was given up to July 5 this year to pay back the money but he didn’t do so,” John said.
Basira wrote an affidavit where he acknowledged his debt and promised to pay back the money, the court heard. He failed to pay the money back and the matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu