Bulawayo – A 35-year-old woman from Barham Green, Bulawayo, appeared in court yesterday facing charges of stealing US$24,000 from a local steel manufacturing company where she was employed. The accused, Nothando Banana, allegedly committed the theft on October 15, coinciding with an armed robbery on the same day in which US$32,500 was stolen in a separate incident.
Banana, charged with theft of trust funds, reportedly used the chaos of an armed robbery to misappropriate the funds. She appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs. Benhilda Chiundura, with the State represented by Mr. Jethro Mada. The court heard that Banana attempted to shift blame onto the robbers who carried out the unrelated heist.
According to the prosecution, Banana exploited the commotion caused by the armed gang, which stormed the company premises, tied up security guards and employees, and used a grinder to break into two safes. Despite the gang only stealing from one safe, Mr. Mada argued that Banana, who was responsible for another safe containing US$27,000 from company sales, took advantage of the distraction to pocket US$24,400.
After the robbery, company officials conducted an inventory check and discovered the safe under Banana’s supervision had been tampered with, leaving only US$2,600. When questioned, Banana admitted to using the stolen money.
Banana was released on US$100 bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 1. Her arrest followed a conspicuous spending spree in Bulawayo, raising suspicions about her sudden access to large amounts of cash.
This case has drawn significant public attention, coinciding with a recent spike in high-profile robberies across the city. Just days earlier, robbers armed with AK-47s seized approximately US$4 million from an Ecobank branch during a cash transfer. In another incident, US$20,000 was stolen from a Fawcett Security cash-in-transit van after guards gave a lift to two strangers.
The rise in crime has prompted concern among authorities and citizens alike. According to recent crime statistics, robbery incidents have surged by 11% across the country. Speaking at the ZRP Senior Officers’ Conference in Harare last week, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe expressed alarm at the increasing crime rate, urging law enforcement to step up efforts to address the growing security threats.
“It is disheartening that the police have failed to meet set targets, and the increase in crime leaves citizens apprehensive,” Minister Kazembe said.
