MDC Alliance Makokoba Constituency MP James Sithole
together with three accomplices allegedly embezzled more than US$4 000 and R10
000 belonging to a local burial society he chaired, a magistrate heard
yesterday.
Sithole (45), Jacob Manyange (64), Raymond Gombedza (47)
all from Makokoba suburb and Manyara Muzamani (49) of Cowdray Park appeared
before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Munjanja facing theft of trust property
charges.
The four men allegedly diverted to their personal use R10
000 rand, which belonged to Makokoba Burial Society after collecting the money
from the treasurer Ms Margaret Sibindi.
They also allegedly squandered US$4 250, which was
restituted by Ms Sibindi following her conviction and sentence for dipping her
fingers into the coffers of the burial society.
The burial society was founded in 2010 by MDC party
supporters in the constituency to assist members during funerals. The MP was the burial society’s chairperson.
Prosecuting, Mr Leonard Chile said between 2010 and 2011,
the accused persons acted in common purpose and sent Manyange to collect R10
000 which was being kept by Ms Sibindi who was the treasurer of the burial
society at the time. It was, however, not stated in court papers why the
accused persons had requested the money from Ms Sibindi.
They allegedly converted the money to their personal use
and the money was not recovered.
In 2011, Ms Sibindi, who was responsible for keeping the
money stole US$4 250 from the burial society and she was arrested and taken to
court and convicted of theft. She was ordered to restitute the money and she
complied with the court order by paying the money through the Clerk of Court at
the Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court.
The court heard that Manyange went to the Clerk of Court at
Tredgold building where he signed for the money and took the cash.
“Manyange signed and collected the money which was
restituted by Margaret Sibindi. The four accused persons, acting in common
purpose, converted the money to their personal use,” said Mr Chile.
In her testimony, Ms Sibindi told the court that the four
accused persons embezzled the funds belonging to the society.
“The accused persons came and took R10 000 from me when I
was still treasurer of the burial society. They did not return a single cent,”
she said.
However, under cross examination by the quartet’s lawyer Mr
Prince Butshe Dube of Mathonsi Law Chambers, Ms Sibindi gave incoherent
responses and failed to explain to the court why she gave the accused persons
the money.
“I put it to you that you are bitter woman who is all out
to revenge by fixing my clients after they reported you to the police for
stealing money from the burial society,” said Mr Dube.
Sithole, in his defence, said the allegations were an
attempt by his political opponents to soil his image after he defeated them in
last year’s elections.
The trial continues today. Chronicle
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