A Harare woman has been found guilty of stealing US$25,796 from a savings club and has been ordered to complete 420 hours of community service.
Barbra Matora (39), the former secretary and cash custodian for the Anglican Church Rebecca Savings Club, will serve her sentence at Warren Park Primary School in Harare.
Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa convicted Matora of theft of trust property and sentenced her to 42 months in prison, with 12 months suspended for five years on the condition of good behaviour.
Of the remaining 38 months, 18 months were suspended on the condition that she repay the stolen amount of US$25,796 by October 31. The remaining 20 months were converted into 420 hours of community service.
Prosecutor Bonface Musvaire presented evidence showing that Matora was responsible for managing the cash and records of the Rebecca Savings Club.
The court heard that in January 2023, members of St. James Anglican Church in Warren Park 1 formed the Rebecca Savings Club, where each member was required to contribute a minimum of US$30 and a maximum of US$300 in savings, along with a monthly emergency fee of US$5.
Matora unlawfully converted the funds for her personal use and failed to account for the funds when requested by Rebecca Savings Club, represented by Nomsa Amin Nambale.
The court heard that in December 2023, members of the savings club held a meeting where they agreed that all members should be paid up by December 9.
Matora was tasked with handing over the cash for distribution among the members.
On December 4, 2023, Nambale received information that Matora had been arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station for fraud.
When Nambale approached Matora to request an accounting of their money, Matora was unable to provide one.
Subsequently, Nambale and other members of Rebecca Savings Club visited Matora’s residence, where they recovered an empty metal cash box from her sister, Mary.
As a result, the club members suffered a loss of US$25,796.
More: Pindula News