A local teacher has appeared in court after allegedly stealing electrical accessories and a laptop belonging to a delegate attending a government-organised conference in Harare.
Kidman Paradza Chingowo (27) was arraigned before a Harare magistrate, facing theft and unlawful entry charges.
He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
The complainant was Zandisile Rosemane Nowe an employee of the Eswatini Environment Authority, who was being represented in court by Cliff Chivanga.
The court heard that the Integrated Solid Waste Association Africa Regional Chapter Conference was held on March 30 and 31.
The event was organised by the Environment and Climate ministry, the Environmental Management Agency and Geo Pomona Waste Management.
Delegates from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Eswatini and Zambia attended the conference.
The court heard that on March 30 at around 6pm, Chingowo allegedly went to the hotel where the delegates were staying and gained entry to the conference room where Nowe was attending a meeting with other delegates.
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It is alleged that Chingowo pretended to be a guest before taking advantage of Nowe’s brief absence from the room.
Nowe left behind a black bag containing an HP laptop, charger, spectacles, laptop mouse and a twin plug.
Chingowo allegedly stole the bag and its contents before leaving the hotel.
When Nowe returned, she realised that her belongings were missing and alerted hotel staff, who reviewed CCTV footage.
The footage allegedly showed Chingowo stealing the items.
The matter was reported to ZRP Harare Central and was referred to the CID Stores and Business Harare for further investigation.
On April 3, detectives carried out surveillance and allegedly spotted Chingowo entering the hotel, leading to his arrest.
Police said Chingowo led detectives to Wibert Makaha Nyatsanza, a dealer operating at Margolis Mall, where some of the stolen items had been sold.
A search was conducted at Chingowo’s residence and the twin plug was recovered.
The items were identified by the complainant's representative and seized by the police.
The total value of the stolen property is US$2 000, of which US$1 500 worth of property was recovered.
