Two Chitungwiza Women Convicted Of Stealing From Churches

Two women from Chitungwiza have been convicted on three counts of theft after stealing from several churches in Harare.

Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa last week convicted Glory Choto (50) and Violet Jaure (34), ruling that the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentencing is expected this week.

In her ruling, Magistrate Rakafa said there was overwhelming evidence against the pair, with State witnesses producing physical exhibits that linked them to the crimes.

The two women, who are both unemployed, live in Nyatsime Phase 2, Chitungwiza.

Prosecutor Chyvonne Nhira told the court that on 5 October 2005, the women stole a laptop bag during a church service at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Dzivarasekwa Extension. The bag contained a Lenovo mini laptop, a black power bank, a diary, cash books, three counter books and a flash disk.

The complainant, an employee of the Zimbabwe National Army, had briefly stepped outside the church to answer a phone call when the theft occurred. The accused took advantage of the unattended property and stole it.

The court further heard that the pair was later caught stealing from a vehicle parked outside a Methodist Church in Dzivarasekwa, Harare, leading to their arrest.

The women stole a black-and-cream dress, a royal blue jersey, a blue-and-white doek and baby wipes from a car belonging to Tafadzwa Chifamba, an employee of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

According to court records, Chifamba was attending a service at the United Methodist Church in Dzivarasekwa 1 when the theft happened. She had parked her Toyota Runx outside the church.

The State said church members noticed the women acting suspiciously, searched them, and recovered the stolen items in their possession, which led to their arrest.

More: NewsDay