HARARE – A minister whose children have been named as key players in illegal foreign currency exchange lost US$25,000 to a housemaid, a court heard on Monday.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa had been given the money for “safekeeping” by her sister, prosecutors said.
Mutsvangwa’s former housemaid Tracy Manase, 59, of Chizemo village in Chimanimani, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after admitting theft before Harare magistrate Nortilda Muchineripi.
Prosecutors said Mutsvangwa’s unemployed sister Joyce Mukono, 49, of Zimre Park in Harare took the money to the minister for safekeeping sometime in March.
Manase, the court heard, resigned from her job at the end of May and returned to her village home.
Mutsvangwa realised the money was missing in June when her sister came asking for it.
Prosecutors said Mukono did not file a police report immediately, opting to pursue her own investigation which led her to Manase who was paying her employees with United States dollars, the court heard.
Mutare Central Police raided Manase’s home and found US$3,200 in cash and groceries worth US$6,200 which were allegedly bought with the stolen money.
The Zanu PF Youth League last month accused Mutsvangwa’s two children, Elizabeth and Neville, of dealing in foreign currency which is illegal.
Police raided Neville’s Harare office in May and found US$200,000 in cash. He was not in the office at the time but two associates were arrested.
