Former First Lady Grace Mugabe was visibly distressed as she testified in a theft case involving stolen property belonging to her late husband, former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. At the Harare Magistrates' Court, Grace Mugabe broke down in tears when stolen suits and shirts of her late husband were presented as evidence. The emotional scene led to the temporary adjournment of the proceedings by Magistrate Esthere Chivasa, allowing Grace Mugabe time to compose herself. The case involves four former employees of the Mugabe family—Allen Chinamonya, Danmore Chinamonya, Samson Karonga, and Tendai Bunganirwa—who are accused of unlawfully entering the Mugabe household and stealing various items.
Grace Mugabe testified that Allen Chinamonya, the family’s former driver, was found with some of the stolen property. She further expressed suspicion that Samson Karonga was the ringleader behind the thefts, mentioning his involvement in previous incidents of theft within the family. The suspects, however, denied the charges. Their defense lawyer argued that the stolen items were stored in a public car park, making them accessible to many, and claimed that some of the items had been given to them as gifts by Robert Mugabe. The stolen goods included clothing, televisions, cutlery, and towels, and were allegedly taken from 11 containers Grace Mugabe had moved to her Blue Roof residence after her husband's retirement in 2018. These containers, which had been secured with padlocks, were reported to have been broken into between 2018 and May 2024.
The theft was uncovered in May 2024 when Grace Mugabe noticed that the locks on the containers had been broken and items were missing. She promptly reported the theft to the authorities, and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, police recovered some of the stolen goods. At Allen Chinamonya’s home, police found suits, bed covers, and a television set, while additional suits and shirts were recovered at Danmore Chinamonya’s residence. Grace Mugabe confirmed that these items were part of the stolen property. Although the total value of the stolen goods is estimated at $500,000, only items worth approximately $2,000 have been recovered so far. The case continues to unfold as the investigation progresses.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0