MUTARE — TWO Congolese nationals appeared before a Mutare magistrate last week facing theft charges for allegedly duping a local woman of US$5 000.
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
The pair, Freddy Kasong (32) and Pele Claude (31), appeared before magistrate Charles Murove, after they allegedly stole Prudence Matondo’s money.
They pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Nelson Makunyire told the court that the two, approached Matondo at her home in Chikanga high-density suburb and asked for a US$10 000 loan to start an undisclosed business.
They promised to pay back the money with interest within a week. On September 29, Matondo phoned the two Congolese telling them that she had managed to raise US$5 000.
The prosecutor said the two went to the complainant’s home and checked if the money was genuine. They told Matondo to keep the money, promising to collect it later.
“Matondo put the money in a drawer for safe-keeping. After two hours, the accused persons returned and requested for water. The complainant went outside the house to fetch water, leaving the two in the house,” said Makunyire.
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The State says the Congolese took advantage of Matondo’s absence and sneaked into her bedroom and stole the money.
The two allegedly left the house and Matondo discovered that her money was missing and made a report to the police. This led to the arrest of the two at their home in Fairbridge Park.
They were remanded in custody to November 5 for trial.
