Grace Mugabe Breaks Down in Court Over Stolen Goods

By Cimba Shepherd Nhamo

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe sobbed uncontrollably in court yesterday after identifying her late husband Robert Mugabe’s stolen suits, allegedly taken by four former employees.The emotional moment prompted Magistrate Esthere Chivasa to adjourn proceedings briefly to allow Mrs. Mugabe to compose herself.

The four accused – Allen Chinamonya (42), Danmore Chinamonya (35), Samson Karonga, and Tendai Bunganirwa face charges of unlawful entry and theft after allegedly breaking into 11 containers storing the Mugabe family’s property. The stolen goods include television sets, clothes, cutlery, and bath towels.

During her testimony, Mrs. Mugabe revealed that Allen, their former driver, was caught with some of the stolen goods and had been stealing fuel and using the family’s vehicle without permission . She also suspected Karonga due to his involvement in previous theft cases and eyewitness accounts of him attempting to unlock one of the containers.

The prosecution presented recovered items as evidence, including suits, beds, and a television set, valued at approximately US$2,000 . However, Mrs. Mugabe estimated the total value of stolen property to be between US$3.5 million and US$4 million, contradicting the initial estimate of US$500,000 .

The accused deny the charges, claiming the containers were accessible to everyone and that they received the property as gifts for supporting former President Mugabe after his resignation in 2017. Bunganirwa alleged that the late President gave him the property in his possessions.

The case continue, with the accused represented by lawyer Renetty Takudzwa Kuchidza, except for Bunganirwa .