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President Mugabe

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
President Mugabe has described the upsurge in crime in the country as worrying. Addressing thousands of people at African Chrome Fields ferrochrome beneficiation and value addition project at Chinyika range, Ward 2, Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency, yesterday President Mugabe said his family had also fallen victim to crime.

He said he has lost money, property and produce at his farm and rural home in Zvimba to some of his employees and relatives.

President Mugabe urged parents and guardians to take their children to school so that they have better lives and stay away from crime.

He said he lost thousands of dollars at the Mazowe farm to workers whom he said were under receipting on cash sales.

“If I show you how these workers used to steal from us, you’ll shake your head. For example, if they sell potatoes at $4,000 or $5,000 they would receipt $20 then share the balance until some of them raised enough to buy cars and furniture,” President Mugabe said.

The President had the crowd in stitches when he said the thieves were bold enough to steal from the President.

“Even the milk at our dairy is also stolen. I don’t even understand what kind of people they’re. They aren’t even afraid. However, they were arrested. It’s quite embarrassing, they weren’t even concerned that they were stealing from the President.

“They even steal my clothes with such ease, including socks,” he said.

President Mugabe said an aunt of his who was assigned to look after his Kutama home also connived with a police detail guarding the premises to steal.

“The police officer proposed to her since she is a single mother. He then hatched a plan of stealing our household goods through my aunt. He was caught by security personnel. The police officer is in prison as we speak,” he said.

President Mugabe said it was important that people be trustworthy and not abuse positions at their work places to enrich themselves.

He said even the educated people were also criminals at times.

President Mugabe said the banking sector which is built on trust was not spared either.

He said bank directors were dipping their fingers into people’s accounts without shame.