Suitcase of cash stolen from Mugabe

A suitcase containing $150,000 (R2.07m) in cash was stolen from ousted Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, a court in Harare has heard, with the suspected thieves spending the money on cars, houses and farm animals.

The three accused – who include Constancia Mugabe, 50, a relative of the president – appeared before the Chinhoyi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Constancia Mugabe had keys to Mugabe’s rural house in Zvimba, outside Harare, allowing the others, employed as cleaners, to gain full access to the property when the theft occurred sometime after December 1 2018.

“Johanne Mapurisa bought a Toyota Camry . . . and a house for $20,000 [R277,000] after the incident,” prosecutor Teveraishe Zinyemba told the court.

“Saymore Nhetekwa also bought a Honda . . . and livestock.”

The chief prosecution witness in the case was named as a manager of the charity foundation run by Mugabe’s wife, Grace.

The three accused were given bail and are due back in court on January 24.

One suspect is still at large. Mugabe’s whereabouts is unconfirmed since late November when his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the ailing 94-year-old was in Singapore for medical treatment and was now unable to walk.

His 37-year rule was marked by state corruption, economic collapse and brutal repression of dissent. –