Mugabe: Suitcase of cash stolen from ex-Zimbabwe leader

Three people have appeared in
court in Zimbabwe, accused of stealing a suitcase containing
$150,000 (£117,600) of cash from the country’s ousted president,
Robert Mugabe.

The suspected thieves allegedly spent the money on cars, homes
and animals.

A relative of the
ex-president, Constantia Mugabe, is among the accused,
government-owned media report^[1].

She allegedly had keys to Mr Mugabe’s rural home in Zvimba, near
the capital Harare, and gave the others access.

The other suspects were employed as cleaners at the time of the
theft, which allegedly happened sometime between 1 December and
early January.

“Johanne Mapurisa bought a Toyota Camry… and a house for $20,000
after the incident,” state prosecutor Teveraishe Zinyemba told
Chinhoyi magistrates court.

“Saymore Nhetekwa also bought a Honda… and livestock which
included pigs and cattle for an undisclosed amount.”

Mr Mugabe, now 94, was forced out of office by Zimbabwe’s
military in 2017.

Up to that point, he had been in power for 37 years, first as
prime minister and later as president.

Once famously claiming that a country could never go bankrupt,
he was accused of enjoying a lavish lifestyle while presiding over
Zimbabwe’s economic collapse.

US dollars are highly prized in Zimbabwe. In theory, the local
“bond notes” banks dispense are equal to the US currency – but in
reality they buy much less.

Since retiring, Mr Mugabe has had difficulty
walking^[2] and has spent
months in Singapore for medical treatment.

It is unclear if he was at home while the theft took place.

The three suspects have been released on bail. The AFP news
agency reports that a fourth is still at large.