A young herdboy from Lupane who allegedly stole US$1 600 from his employer in a daring bedroom raid blew the money on gambling, alcohol, and s€x workers — only to end up broke and in handcuffs days later.
Anele Sibanda, 20, appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Itai Kagwere on Tuesday charged with theft.
The court heard that on 4 September, Sibanda took advantage of a brief moment when his employer, Rozilina Ndlovu, stepped outside with a visitor, leaving her bedroom door open.
Sibanda allegedly entered the room, opened the wardrobe, grabbed the cash, and fled the homestead.
He boarded a vehicle to Bulawayo and headed straight for the city’s notorious feja feja tables, where he reportedly lost US$1 000 in minutes.
The remainder of the stolen money was spent on alcohol and s€x workers, leaving him stranded and penniless.
According to H-Metro, Sibanda had hoped to “upgrade his life” with the stolen cash, but his city adventure quickly collapsed.
He was arrested shortly after and brought before the courts, where his fall from rural herdboy to reckless hustler was laid bare.
Sibanda remains in custody and awaits sentencing under Zimbabwe’s theft laws.
The case has sparked public debate on the dangers of urban temptations and the desperation driving youth to crime.

