adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO woman blew more than $15,000 which she stole from her burial society. Mevis Shonai, 40, of Pumula North suburb betrayed the trust bestowed on her by Vision Burial Society when she allegedly converted $10,847 and R57,599 to her own use. She appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube on Monday facing theft charges.
Prosecuting, Frank Ncube told how between July 2010 and March 2013, Shonai converted the money to her own use until an audit by church members exposed her.
Shonai is the treasurer of the group whose membership is largely drawn from Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa congregants.
“Shonai was given $29,352,30 and 113,553 rand by Vision Burial Society for safekeeping. However, during a meeting at one of the Tashas shops in Bulawayo, an audit was carried out during which it was discovered that part of the money was missing from the coffers,” said Ncube.
Shonai failed to account for the money and members reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest and subsequent recovery of part of the money.
Shonai was not asked to plead to theft charges. She was remanded out of custody to January 28 for trial. Shonai is being represented by Mordecai Donga of Lazarus and Sarif Legal Practitioners.
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