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Peter Matika-Bulawayo Bureau
THE case of a 35-year-old woman from Barham Green in Bulawayo, who allegedly stole US$24 000 from a local steel manufacturing company she works for in the Belmont industrial area during an armed robbery, was further remanded yesterday.
Nothando Banana, burly in stature and clad in black attire, immediately wore a floppy hat and shades to cover her face as she walked out of the courtroom.
While trying to avoid the camera, she walked along the walls of the courts in an attempt to remain unseen.
Once out of the building, Banana hastily made her way to a vehicle parked outside the courthouse at Tredgold building before being driven off by an elderly woman, presumed to be her mother, who had accompanied her to court. She was remanded out of custody until November 18, as investigations are still ongoing.
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 sought to cover up her crime by blaming the robbers for the theft of the money. She initially appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Benhilda Chiundura, while Mr Jethro Mada appeared for the State. Banana is being represented by Mr Bob Siansole of Shenje and Company.
According to the State, Banana allegedly 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.
Court records state that the suspects confronted the security guards and workers on night duty and ordered them to lie down before tying their hands and legs with shoelaces.
It was mentioned 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.”
Banana was reportedly apprehended following a day and night extravagant spending spree in Bulawayo.
Online Reporter