Housemaid jailed 34 months after stealing more than US$80,000 from employer

HARARE — A 59‑year‑old housemaid, Sarah Matemarunda, was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for stealing cash and foreign currency totalling more than US$80,000 from her employer. Two months of the sentence were suspended, leaving an effective custodial term of 34 months.

Prosecutors told the court the theft occurred while the employer was away at his farm in Darwendale. Key events reported to the court include:

• On 10 August 2025 the employer left home, leaving Matemarunda and the gardener, Milton Mudimu, on duty.

• The following day Matemarunda phoned to say the gardener had not reported for work.

• When the employer returned on 12 August, he found bedroom doors open and a digital metal safe forcibly removed from the wall.

• The safe contained large sums in multiple currencies, including US$80,400, ZAR4,000, 300 Yuan, 200 Dirhams, 100 Rupees and 30 Pounds.

Police later found the safe inside a parked car at the property and identified fingerprints on it. Investigations led to the arrest of Mudimu as he attempted to flee to South Africa.

During questioning Mudimu implicated Matemarunda as the alleged mastermind, saying she had provided information about the cash and coordinated with two male accomplices who remain at large. Officers recovered cash hidden in Matemarunda’s room, including US$1,239, ZAR1,360, 100 Yuan, 5 Dirhams, 50 Rupees and GBP10.

The National Prosecuting Authority emphasised that the law will catch up with those who betray the trust of employers.

Magistrates’ Court proceedings resulted in a custodial sentence with a partial suspension. The NPA used the case to remind the public that theft and betrayal of trust attract criminal sanctions. No further court dates were reported at the time of sentencing.

Harare housemaid theft US$80 400 2026