Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zimbabwe lost more than US$24 000 after a senior employee in its purchasing department allegedly diverted proceeds from auction sales of church property.
Blessing Chitiyo (37) pleaded guilty to theft of trust property before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
The court heard that Chitiyo, who was employed as a purchasing department head, sold various goods belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses of Zimbabwe between December 12, 2025 and February 12, 2026.
The items — including decolour LED display screens, armoured cables and other assorted equipment — were disposed of through ABC Auctions and Zunde Auctions.
Prosecutors said Chitiyo received a total of US$24 207 from the sales on different dates.
He allegedly instructed subordinates to collect the proceeds from the auction houses and hand over the cash to him.
According to court papers, Chitiyo failed to record the transactions or remit the funds, instead converting the money to his personal use.
The offence was uncovered following an internal audit, which established that the funds had been received but not accounted for.
- Letter to my people: There is huge trouble in the cockpit
- Detective freed in US$1,3m robbery case
- Jehovah’s Witnesses lose US$24k to procurement head
Keep Reading
The total value stolen is US$24 207, and none of the money has been recovered.
