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To cover up the alleged theft, Sicelesile Tshuma went to Bulawayo Central Police Station where she made a report that the money had been stolen.
Detectives investigating the case went to her residence and conducted a search.
As some detectives were busy conducting the search inside the house, one of them, who had remained outside, noticed that one vegetable plant had withered while the rest were green.
The detective became curious and when he dug up the vegetable plant he bumped onto a tin that contained the money.
She was brought to the garden and after the tin had been dug out the detectives found $12 900, but she denied any knowledge of it.
Tshuma (28) yesterday appeared before acting Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Godwin Sengweni and was remanded on $100 bail to 5 October for trial.
Tshuma of K85 Njube was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and to report to Njube Police Station every Monday.
On 12 September this year, Mr Thabani Sibanda received $15 000 from Mr Dumisani Kudzai, which was payment for a residential stand, which had been purchased from Dr Jimmy Gazi.
Dr Gazi instructed Mr Sibanda to take $1 000 as commission and give $1 000 to Tshuma.
The remainder was to be deposited into his Barclays Bank account.
The following day, Tshuma having been called by Dr Gazi went to Mr Sibanda and collected the $13 000, which was meant for banking.
The State is alleging that instead of banking the money, Tshuma allegedly stole the money and hid it in the vegetable garden at her house and went to make a report that the money had been stolen.
Mr Tinashe Dzipe appeared for the State and Miss Hazel Ndlovu, of Advocate SKM Sibanda and Partners defended Tshuma.
Online Reporter