Chiedza, a church member, confessed to taking US$118 and R431 from the
church’s coffers, citing financial hardship and her mother's illness as the
reasons for her actions.
According to reports from B-Metro, the incident occurred on August 4,
2024, when Chiedza was entrusted with the funds by church secretary Prisca
Moyo, following the pastor’s instructions. However, when the church later
requested the money back for accountability, Chiedza became unreachable and
even blocked church members who attempted to contact her. The church reported
the matter to the police, which led to her arrest.
In court, Chiedza tearfully pleaded for leniency, explaining that her
mother’s illness had driven her to make a desperate choice. "My mother was
sick in the rural areas, and I needed money for her treatment," she told
Western Commonage magistrate Learnear Khumalo. Chiedza expressed remorse and
offered to repay the stolen funds.
The court took her circumstances into account and imposed a conditional
sentence. While she received a 12-month prison term, three months were
suspended on the condition of staying crime-free for five years. An additional
six months were suspended if she completes 210 hours of community service at
Cowdray Park Health Services, and the remaining three months were suspended on
the condition that she repays the money by November 15, 2024.
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