A 30-year-old Harare gardener recently appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court charged with stealing US$70 000 and R95 000 in cash from his employer.
The suspect, Tatenda Ngirazi, allegedly used some of the money to buy a Toyota Ipsum.
He appeared before magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded him in custody to 22 February for bail application.
Ngirazi was employed as a gardener and his suspected accomplice in committing the crime, Taurai Shonhiwa, was employed as a maid at a private home in Borrowdale.
Prosecutors told the court that sometime in January 2020, the complainant Shadreck Zvarivadza left the money in a safe in his bedroom.
Between January 2020 and February 2022, Ngirazi allegedly gained access to the bedroom and stole the money but left his hat at the scene.
Zvarivadza only became aware that his money was missing when he wanted to use it on 4 February.
On being questioned, Ngirazi admitted to stealing the money and implicated Shonhiwa.
Zvarivadza effected a citizen’s arrest and recovered the vehicle which Ngirazi had bought using the money.