Woman sentenced over R68 500 bail money theft

A WOMAN who pocketed R68,500 entrusted to her to pay bail for her cousin detained in South Africa has been sentenced to a suspended four-year prison term.

Lesley Mudemba (34) was convicted of theft of trust property by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe, who condemned her for abusing the trust placed in her by a close family member.

The court sentenced Mudemba to four years’ imprisonment. One year was suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence during that period. The remaining three years were suspended on condition that she repays the complainant R68,500 on or before August 28.

In passing sentence, Mr Mahembe described Mudemba’s actions as heartless.

“You are a heartless person. You converted money that was meant to secure your relative’s release from custody.

After that, you went into hiding for several months while you squandered all the money. You deserve a custodial sentence so that you reform,” he said.

Prosecuting, Ms Brenda Ndlovu told the court that sometime in August last year, Mudemba’s aunt entrusted her with R68,500 in cash to pay bail for her son, who had been arrested in South Africa.

Instead of depositing the money with the clerk of court in the neighbouring country, Mudemba converted it to her own use.

“After receiving the money, the accused changed her mobile number and fled to Kadoma. She was later arrested after police received information that she was preparing to leave for Botswana,” said Ms Ndlovu.

In mitigation, Mudemba pleaded for leniency and apologised to her aunt.

“I’m really sorry, aunt. I don’t know what got into me. I promise to pay back the money I stole,” she told the court.

In aggravation, Ms Ndlovu said the offence had caused severe emotional distress to the complainant.

“The accused was entrusted with the money to pay bail for the complainant’s son. Instead, she changed her phone number and went into hiding in Kadoma. Her aunt made strenuous efforts to locate her without success,” she said.

“The matter weighed heavily on her aunt, who developed high blood pressure and sank into depression as a result of the theft.”

The prosecutor argued that Mudemba had shown little genuine remorse and urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.

“The State prays for a befitting custodial sentence to deter would-be offenders,” Ms Ndlovu submitted.