Lovemore Meya Court Correspondent
A bus driver at Munhenzva Buses escaped a 16-month prison term last week for stealing $2 500 from a church mate. Joseph Mudziviri (31) of Meyrick Park in Harare denied theft of trust property charges before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Jessy Kufa for stealing $2 500 he had been given to buy plasma television sets for Grace Mafuya (38). In his defence, Mudziviri told the court that he never stole the money but Mafuya was fabricating charges against him as his girlfriend, after seeing another woman’s contact details in his phone.
Ms Kufa, however, slapped Mudziviri with 16 months in prison with eight suspended on condition of good behaviour. The remaining eight months were suspended on condition he pays back the money to Mafuya.
Proven circumstances were that on dates unknown to the prosecutor Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa in July, Mudziviri went to Mafuya’s house number 29585, Unit M in Chitungwiza. The court heard that Mudziviri advised Mafuya that he was going to South Africa and was able to purchase for her Plasma television sets for resale.
Mafuya is in the business of selling television sets. Mafuya gave him $2 500 meant to buy five 42-inch television sets with Mudziviri promising to deliver them after four days.
After the lapse of the given time, Mafuya made follow ups to Mudziviri’s house where he would proffer empty promises. However, Mudziviri promised to return Mafuya’s money to no avail before stopping going to church.
This forced Mafuya to report the matter to the police, leading to Mudziviri’’s arrest.