Online Reporter
Lesley Chikudo, Sunday News Reporter
A Bulawayo woman who allegedly squandered US$10 000 entrusted to her for safekeeping by her ex-husband has appeared in court facing charges of theft of trust property.
Betina Ndlovu (31), of Pumula East suburb, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Learnmore Khumalo.
She was remanded out of custody to 7 May pending trial.
The prosecutor, Ms Mandrela Chisiiwa, said the incident dates back to June last year, when Ndlovu was still living with her then-husband, Mr Gilbert Zuvarinwe.
“On the day in question, the complainant returned from work and found the accused absent from home. Upon inspection, he discovered that some household items were missing,” said Ms Chisiiwa.
The court heard that Mr Zuvarinwe also noticed that US$10 000 in cash, which the couple had jointly saved during their marriage, had disappeared, along with important documents for two houses and two vehicles.
Mr Zuvarinwe later confronted Ndlovu at her new residence, demanding an explanation and the return of the money, but she failed to account for it.
A report was made, leading to Ndlovu’s arrest. None of the money or documents were recovered.
In a separate but similar matter, another woman from Pumula East also appeared before the same magistrate for allegedly stealing US$200 from a fellow patron during a night out.
Pretty Khumalo (26) is accused of stealing the cash from Mr Thulani Ndlovu while the two were drinking at MaNdlovu Beer Garden on the night of 28 January this year.
“The accused allegedly took the money around 11 pm while the complainant was drunk,” said Ms Chisiiwa.
Khumalo was remanded out of custody to 29 April. As in the previous case, the stolen money was not recovered.
