A Harare magistrate has sentenced 59-year-old Sarah Matemarunda to 36 months imprisonment for orchestrating a heist that saw over USD80 000 stolen from her employer, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) confirmed yesterday.
According to the NPAZ, the theft occurred in August 2025 when the victim left his home for his farm in Darwendale, leaving Matemarunda and a gardener, Milton Mudimu, to tend to the property.
“Upon the victim’s return on 12 August 2025, he discovered that his bedroom doors were wide open and a digital metal safe had been forcibly removed from the wall.
The safe contained large sums of cash in multiple currencies, including USD80 400, ZAR4000, 300 Yuan, 200 Dirhams, 100 Rupees, and 30 Pounds. Investigations by police led to the discovery of the safe inside a parked car at the house, with fingerprints linking Matemarunda to the crime,”the NPAZ narrated
The NPAZ said further inquiries resulted in the arrest of Mudimu, who was intercepted while attempting to flee to South Africa.
“Investigations revealed that Mudimu was working under the direction of the accused, who masterminded the theft by providing information about the cash and coordinating with two male accomplices, who remain at large, to remove the safe and share the loot,” the Authority stated.
Following her arrest, police recovered cash totaling USD1239, ZAR1360, 100 Yuan, 5 Dirhams, 50 Rupees, and GBP10 hidden inside Matemarunda’s room.
The NPAZ emphasized that the case serves as a warning to the public about the consequences of engaging in criminal activity.
“Members of the public are reminded that the law will always catch up with those who engage in criminal acts and violate the trust of their employers,” the Authority said.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities to combat theft and criminality in Zimbabwe.
“This conviction reinforces that no one is above the law and that exploiting positions of trust for personal gain will not be tolerated,” the NPAZ added.
The NPAZ continues to urge citizens to report suspicious activities and maintain vigilance to safeguard property, while ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
