Harare — A GARDENER who allegedly stole US$17 400 from his employer and buried the loot at a dumpsite with the connivance of a friend was last week arraigned at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

Outlining the State case, prosecutor Mr Owen Zuze told the court that Ms Greer Wynn employed Samuel Kambani as a gardener at her house. On August 22 this year she locked her doors and went out cycling.

It is alleged that when Ms Wynn came back from cycling, she could not find her house keys, which she had hidden under a stone outside the house.

She tried all the doors and was surprised to find the main door unlocked, the court heard. Upon checking her property, she discovered that a pair of takkies and handbag containing US$17 400 were missing.

A report was made to the police, who conducted a thorough search at the house but could not find anything until a witness informed them that she had seen Kambani heading towards his friend Elias Masvinyangwa's house carrying a bag. Further investigations revealed that the pair had stashed the money at a dumpsite.

However, US$17 200 was recovered with US$200 missing