Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
NOTHANDO Banana (35), a resident of Bahram Green suburb in Bulawayo, who is facing allegations of stealing US$24 000 from a steel manufacturing company during an armed robbery incident, has been further remanded in custody.
The robbery incident occurred in October last year, where she allegedly took advantage of the situation and stole US$24 400.
Banana has been out of custody since her initial appearance after posting US$100 bail.
The matter was on Wednesday remanded to March 24, after she appeared in court on routine remand.
Banana, reportedly committed the crime on October 15, the same day robbers armed with pistols and a garden pick pounced and got away with US$32 500 in a violent armed robbery.
Banana, who is being charged with theft of trust funds, allegedly tried to cover up her crime by blaming the robbers for the theft of the money.
Banana is being represented by Mr Bob Siansole of Shenje and Company.
According to court records, Banana took advantage of the robbery and stole US$24 400 from a safe she was in charge of depositing cash from salespersons before handing it over to her principals.
It was stated that the suspected robbers confronted the security guards and workers on night duty and ordered them to lie down before tying their hands and legs with shoelaces.
“The gang proceeded to an office upstairs where they used a grinder to cut open two safes. They only stole from one safe and left the one Banana was entrusted with depositing money from salespersons before handing it to the company authorities,” read the documents.
It was then discovered that company authorities found that the safe Banana was entrusted with, containing US$27 000, had not been tampered with while doing an inventory of the losses.
“They then asked for keys from the accused person and unlocked the safe. Upon opening the safe, they discovered that out of US$27 000, only US$2 600 was left. Upon interviewing her, she admitted to having used the money,” read the document.
Banana was reportedly apprehended the following day.
