By Judith Nyuke
A Harare woman accused of stealing US$27,000 from her employer allegedly used the money to buy a car, start a clothing business, acquire expensive clothes and reportedly changed her hairstyle every week.
Albina Mutiza recently grabbed the headlines when she appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo charged with theft.
She was remanded in custody after her bail application was rejected.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu opposed the granting of bail to Mutiza informing the court that she presented a flight risk.
He reasoned that the substantial evidence, coupled with the recovery of accessories and a vehicle, indicated a high probability of her fleeing justice if released.
The prosecution alleges that Mutiza didn’t steal the US$27,000 in one instance, but rather took a portion of the daily sales each time she cashed out for almost a year.
Mutiza’s trial is scheduled to begin on May 13 at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
The complainant in this matter is Priddles Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
Mutiza is employed by the complainant as a sales lady.
According to State papers, sometime between April 2024 and April 2025, the exact date being unknown to the prosecutor, the complainant at Shop F4B, Gulf Complex, CBD, Harare, noticed a decline in Mutiza’s sales and began to suspect her of theft.
As a result, the complainant contracted Mr. Kanyoka from Preak Enterprises to conduct an audit of the accounting records for the accused’s shop.
The subsequent audit report indicated a variance of US$27,375.36, leading the complainant to undertake a more comprehensive investigation of workplace activities.
It is further alleged that on the 7th of April 2025 Mutiza finished work then she printed a sales report of the day which she then cashed a total of US$1075 00 as sales of the day on the 7th day of April 2025.
After she surrendered the money to complainant she went back to the shop then she sold accessories worthy US$ 335-00 after she had cashed in.
The Court heard that the complainant got information that Mutiza had accessed shop computer, immediately he went to the shop and summoned her and one Mrs Tino Mhondoro.
Mutiza was allegedly told to print sales report of the day it showed that she had sold US$1439-00 yet she had cashed US$ 1075-00.
The State alleges that when questioned about the shortfall, Mutiza eventually produced US$335.00 from inside her jeans after being interviewed by the complainant.
She claimed this money represented part of her sales from that day.
On April 8, 2025, the police took Mutiza to her house in Budiriro, where a search resulted in the recovery of ICT accessories belonging to the complainant.
The recovered items, valued at US$902,000, had been taken from the shop.
The total value stolen is US$27 375-36 and US$ 1237-00 was recovered.
