A Zimbabwean woman has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment over alleged stealing tithes and offerings worth R800,000 of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The woman who is identified as Mutsika, a 43-year old was found guilty and sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday after been convicted by the court over 128 counts of theft.
The Spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana said that:
"During a period of four years from 2012 to 2015, Mutsika transferred more than R800,000 of the money received from the tithe and offerings to her bank account and for her personal use."
"However, the state argued that Mutsika always indicated her willingness to pay back the money and had not paid back a single cent since March 2022, after she was convicted. The magistrate agreed with the state and said Mutsika showed no remorse."

"He further said that he viewed Mutsika's willingness to pay back the money, as a bargaining tool and as a ticket to keep her out of prison. Therefore, a sentence of imprisonment was appropriate and criminal conduct has consequences."


**Samuel Kingsley**