Tendai Vambe
Post Reporter
A 20-YEAR-OLD Mutare woman has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after stealing a gold bullion worth US$73 763 from her boyfriend of just two days.
Ruvarashe Nicole Chanetsa appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, where she pleaded guilty to theft.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Mr Mahwe ordered Chanetsa to restitute the outstanding US$5 000 that was not recovered by the police.
Passing sentence, Mr Mahwe noted that Chanetsa was a first-time offender who had admitted her wrongdoing and shown remorse.
However, he condemned her actions, saying she had abused the trust placed in her by the complainant despite the romantic relationship between them.
The court heard that on October 26, Chanetsa stole a 604-gramme gold bullion belonging to Mr Tawanda Nyakudya (20), a registered gold buying agent.
Prosecutor, Mr Chris Munyuku, said Chanetsa and Mr Nyakudya had been in a romantic relationship for only two days when they travelled together from Chikanga to Mutare Central Business District (CBD) in Mr Nyakudya’s Toyota Hilux.
Upon arrival, Mr Nyakudya parked outside Global Brothers Supermarket and went into Clicks Pharmacy, leaving Chanetsa inside the vehicle.
It was during his brief absence that Chanetsa allegedly seized the opportunity to steal one of two gold bullions that had been placed in the vehicle’s tray cup holder.
Unaware of the theft, Mr Nyakudya later drove Chanetsa to Morningside before continuing his journey to Harare.
The theft only came to light after he arrived in Harare, and discovered that one of the two gold bullions was missing.
Investigations swiftly led detectives from CID Mutare to Chanetsa, who was arrested the following day.
Upon her arrest, Chanetsa admitted stealing the bullion, and revealed that she had sold it to Socco Resources (Pvt) Ltd, a registered gold-buying company.
She further led detectives to the recovery of a Mazda CX-5, Registration Number AHM 8870, together with its registration book and a sale agreement showing that she had purchased the vehicle on the very day the gold bullion was stolen.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of US$18 900 hidden in the boot, as well as an iPhone 17 Pro and an iPad, all allegedly purchased using proceeds from the crime.
Detectives also recovered US$19 200 from Chanetsa’s sister, Emma Chanetsa, and a further US$5 000 from Ngoni Matanisa, whom she had reportedly asked to keep the money for her.
In total, property and cash valued at US$68 400 were recovered from the stolen US$73 763.
In mitigation, Chanetsa expressed remorse and said she did not know what had come over her when she committed the offence.
The court nevertheless ruled that her conduct warranted a custodial sentence, citing the high value of the stolen property and the breach of trust involved.
Two-day lover steals US$73 000 gold
