AN administration secretary of Apostolic Faith Mission’s Shalom Assembly in Westlea, Harare, on Saturday appeared at Harare Magistrates courts facing a charge of stealing more than US$21 000 from the church by doctoring bank deposit slips.
Chipo Molly Machokonera (40) of Dzivarasekwa Extension, Harare, appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova who released her on US$100 bail.
She will return to court on January 17 for possible allocation of trial date.
State prosecutor, Rufaro Chonzi, said sometime in January last year Machokonera allegedly doctored bank deposit slips since she was employed as the administration secretary for AFM Church Shalom Assembly Westlea Harare.
The court heard that her duty was to receive and receipt money for tithes and offerings from congregants and bank part of the money with Steward Bank.
During the period, Machokonera allegedly stole US$21 904 which she converted to her own use.
She later misrepresented to the church by raising fake deposit slips purporting to have deposited the money with Steward Bank Joina City branch.
It is alleged that to cover up the crime Machokonera forwarded the deposit slips to the church board which believed that the money was deposited.
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On December 10 last year, the church requested a bank statement from Steward Bank and it was at this point that it was discovered that the money was never deposited.
An internal audit was conducted which revealed that Machokonera allegedly misappropriated funds leading the church to file a police report.
The State said copies of bank statements showing that US$21 904 which was purported to have been banked but was not banked were available and would be used as evidence during trial as well as fake deposit slips.
The total value stolen is US$21 904 and nothing was recovered.
