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Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
At least 16 processing officers at the Registrar-General’s (RG) Office yesterday appeared in court on allegations of stealing fees collected from clients between January and December last year.

A number of receipt books for the period in question also allegedly went missing.

The 16 became the second batch of suspects to appear before the Harare Magistrates’ Court this week in connection with the theft of Government funds at the RG’s Office.

Eighteen others were taken to court on Monday.

All the 34 suspects were freed on $200 bail each when they separately appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, facing theft of trust property.

The 16 who appeared in court yesterday are: Silence Makere, Wenceslas Munetsi, Trymore Mwedzi, Alice Mutwe, Dougmore Makunya, Abel Mudembo, Fungai Nyamhanza, Lorraine Maphosa, Happymore Hatidani, Bernard Pasi, Blessing Takaza, Simbarashe Nyatanga, Locardia Miyangwe, Ratidzo Maramba, Ethel Chengeta, and Cecilia Chiwanga.

They were not asked to plead to the charges before being remanded to November 5. The court heard that the individuals were employed as processing officers responsible for revenue collection when they allegedly committed the offences.

Their job, according to the State, involved the use of receipt books issued to them by their employer.

It is the State’s case that after receipting cash, the officers were supposed to surrender the books and cash to the accountant.

The court heard that during the period extending from January to December last year, the accused persons collected revenue using receipt books, but converted the money to their own use.