US$15 000 was reportedly stolen from a safe in a Roman Catholic Church priest’s bedroom on the church premises last month.
Father Aurelio Ayala (36) who is the priest-in-charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Kumalo, Bulawayo, filed a police report after discovering that the money was missing on 28 January.
His assistant, Fr Edwards, was then picked up by the police to assist with investigations.
Fr Ayala confirmed the incident to Sunday News on Saturday, saying his assistant was questioned by the police in connection with the theft and later released. He said:
I can confirm that US$15 000 belonging to the church was stolen from a safe in my bedroom. I reported the matter to the police and investigations are underway.
I can also confirm that my assistant Fr Edwards was recently taken for inquiry by the police although this is not necessarily to say he is the suspect. He was questioned and released.
In January last year, thieves broke into the Roman Catholic Church’s St Andrew’s Parish in Kingsdale, Bulawayo and stole sacred vessels used to conduct mass.