Mugabe wept

Zim Now Reporter

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe broke down in court yesterday upon seeing the stolen belongings of her late husband, Robert Mugabe.

The emotional moment came during the theft trial of five former employees, accused of stealing valuables from the Mugabe residence, valued at approximately US$3.5 million .

Tendai Nyamudze, Allen Chinamonya, Danmore Chinamonya, Samson Karonga, and Brighton Bunganirwa are facing charges for allegedly stealing an array of items, including a plated table fork, a pictorial book titled "Robert Mugabe at 90," and a collection of handbags and personal effects. The prosecution presented evidence, including welcome remarks from Mugabe's 1994 National People's Congress speech and a discussion paper from a Southern African Development Community meeting.

As the stolen goods were presented in court, Grace Mugabe became overwhelmed, prompting the magistrate to adjourn proceedings to allow her to compose herself. Later, she recounted how her family moved from their old residence to Blue Roof in 2017, using four containers to store their belongings, which she was responsible for ².

Grace Mugabe disputed claims by the defendants that the items were gifts from her husband, stating that the former president would not have given such valuable items to employees, especially when other dedicated staff members had not received similar perks. She identified one accused individual based on a history of theft during their employment.

Prosecutor Oscar Madhume revealed that on May 22, 2024, Grace Mugabe discovered the theft when she went to select artefacts for donation to the African Liberation Museum, only to find broken locks and missing items. An investigation recovered goods valued at US$2,000, including two men's suits and a Sony television .