Domestic workers vanish with US$17k

Zim Now Writer

Two domestic workers at Mutunhu Farm in Headlands allegedly stole cash amounting to US$17 090 from their employer.

After the act, the two vanished from their workstation.

The incident happened in January 2023 in the farming town.

One of the accused, Meeting Phiri, who was employed as a farm gardener, was caught although police are still hunting for Martha Kasasa, who is an accomplice in the matter.

Kasasa is now a fugitive from justice.

Phiri pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Rusape magistrate, Annie Ndiraya, who slapped him with a six-year jail term.

Ndiraya set aside 18 months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.

Another 24 months were further suspended on condition that he restitutes John Winskill his money.

Prosecuting, Marlon Makamba told the court that Phiri worked in cahoots with Kasasa in stealing the money during Winskill’s absence.

“Phiri was employed by the complainant as a gardener, and on January 30, 2023 at around 6am, the complainant put US$17 090 in a plastic bag and placed it under his vehicle seat. He visited the fields, leaving the vehicle keys in a drawer in the lounge.

“The accused person and Kasasa, who was employed as a maid, reported for work as usual. Martha picked the keys from the drawer and unlocked the car. The two searched the vehicle and found the US$17 090 stashed under the vehicle seat.

“They wrapped the money with a java cloth and went away. They shared the money in Harare. Phiri took US$10 500 while Kasasa took the remainder,” said Makamba.

Winskill returned from the fields around 11am and found the accused persons gone.

After checking and failing to locate them, the complainant became suspicious and went to check for his money in the vehicle where he discovered that the money had been stolen.

He then filed a report with the police, leading to Phiri’s arrest.