Woman ordered to pay back US$4 270 in bogus money club case

A 36-year-old Bulawayo woman has been sentenced to perform 350 hours of community service and to restitute US$4 270 after defrauding a complainant while pretending to run money-saving clubs.

Rejoice Siyanda (37) of New Lobengula suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube facing a charge of theft. She pleaded guilty to the offence.

She was initially sentenced to 24 months in prison, of which six months were suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within five years. A further eight months were suspended on condition that she restitutes the complainant US$4 270 before July 17.

The remaining 10 months were suspended on condition that she completes 350 hours of community service at Mawaba Primary School, starting Friday.

Prosecutor Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the accused and the complainant were not related but knew each other as fellow vendors.

He said that sometime in June 2021, the accused approached Ananias Mudenda (39) and told him that she was involved in a money-saving club where members deposit money. Mudenda expressed interest and asked to join.

Siyanda later told the complainant that the club was full but said he could join under her name, which required him to give her money so that she could make deposits on his behalf. Mudenda agreed to the arrangement, said Mr Dzimbanhete.

The court heard that Siyanda informed Mudenda that the contributions would be shared in December 2024. The complainant proceeded to give her cash on several occasions.

In December 2024, Mudenda approached Siyanda demanding his share of the contributions in line with their agreement, but she gave an excuse, saying other members had agreed to share the money in December 2025, said Mr Dzimbanhete.

Growing suspicious, Mudenda stopped giving Siyanda money and waited until December 2025.

On December 12, 2025, Mudenda again approached Siyanda demanding his share. She gave him various excuses. He asked to be shown the other club members, but she failed to do so and also failed to return his money, the court heard.

A report was made to the police, leading to Siyanda’s arrest. The total value stolen was US$4 999, and only US$729 was recovered, said Mr Dzimbanhete.