Woman fined US$200 for stealing from prospective employer

A 30-year-old woman from Inyathi in Bubi District has been fined US$200 or sentenced to five months’ imprisonment after stealing clothing and footwear worth US$560 from a man who was considering employing her as a caretaker.

Silobukhosi Ngwenya appeared before Inyathi resident magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe, where she pleaded guilty to a theft charge and was convicted on her own plea.

In addition to the fine, she was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended on condition that she restitutes the complainant, Mr Zibusiso Mpofu (35), the sum of US$560.

The court heard that Mpofu, who is employed in South Africa, had advertised on social media in July for a couple to stay at his homestead in Broom Village and look after the property during his absence.

Ngwenya and her boyfriend responded to the advertisement and agreed to take up the position, with arrangements made for them to assume their duties on August 22.

However, after interviewing the couple when they arrived, Mpofu was dissatisfied and decided not to hire them.

Despite the decision, the pair was allowed to stay at the homestead for two nights and was expected to leave on August 24.

According to court papers, Ngwenya requested permission on August 23 to use Mpofu’s en-suite bedroom to take a bath.

“While in the bedroom, Ngwenya opened Mpofu’s suitcase and stole a pair of Villa shoes, a black T-shirt, a black Adidas tracksuit, a black Nike tracksuit, black Puma shorts, blue identity trousers and a khaki sweater,” read the court papers.

After taking a bath, Ngwenya emerged from the bedroom carrying a large bag and informed Mpofu and his family that she intended to return to Bulawayo.

Mpofu and his family later accompanied her to a bus stop before proceeding to a football tournament.

The theft only came to light the following day when Mpofu discovered that several items of clothing were missing from his belongings.

He contacted Ngwenya to enquire about the missing property, but she denied taking the items before allegedly blocking both Mpofu and his family from communicating with her.

Suspicious of her conduct, Mpofu reported the matter to Ngwenya’s agent, who helped trace her to Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo.