(Last Updated on January 14, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora, reportedly lost three laptops to his maid, a court heard.
Minister Dokora is said to have lost the laptops to Ndashinga Tandi who alleged committed the offence three months into her employment.
Tandi, who is being represented by lawyer Tina Kadhau, was taken to the Harare magistrates’ court charged with theft.
The 22-year-old was not asked to plead to the charges when she appeared before magistrate Elijah Makomo.
Prosecutor Idah Maromo-Mateke opposed to the granting of bail to Tandi saying she was likely to evade trial.
The State also alleges that Tandi initially admitted to the offence during police investigations and only changed he mind after engaging an attorney.
In an attempt to cement its argument, the State called the investigating officer to give a testimony in court.
“During the time of employment in October 2015 she had access to the spare bedroom and dining room where the three laptops were being kept.
“On December 25 accused asked for permission to go from 25-29 December and return on December 30.
“There was no bad blood between accused and complainant but she failed to turn for work.
“Efforts were made to call her but she was not answering to the calls.
“It was when it was discovered that three laptops were missing from the house.
“Upon investigations she revealed to Minister Dokora that she gave them to Andrew Neshamba who denied receiving the laptops.
“He said that the accused was his girlfriend,” said the investigating officer.
Lawyer Kadhau told the court that her client was coerced by the police to confess and admit to the offence during the time of investigations.
She said that Tandi had does not harbour any intentions to abscond trial saying imposing stringent bail conditions would cure the fears.
“The court may impose stringent bail conditions so that accused would not abscond.
“The State alleges that she uses several residential addresses. She was arrested at her parents’ residence which means she can be located.
“She also had a three-year-old child which means she cannot abandon her child because of the offence she is facing,” said lawyer Kadhau.
Accusations facing Tandi are that during the month of October she was employed at Hon Dokora’s house as a maid.