A domestic worker has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for theft.
Nomathemba Okiti saw her last day of freedom last week at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. Okiti worked for her employer (the complainant) for many years at their home in Douglasdale.
The family went on holiday in early April 2015 and according to court records, Okiti did not arrive for work when the family returned from their holiday.
The employer tried to contact Okiti but failed to reach her and then contacted her sister. Court records reflect that the sister had gone to Okiti’s flat and found it completely empty.
A security guard at Okiti’s home said in an affidavit that she had left in a hurry. She admitted to the security guard that the reason for her haste was due to her stealing from her employer.
The employer then noticed that various expensive jewellery items and cash had been stolen from their unlocked safe. She, the complainant, reported the theft to Douglasdale Police on 9 April 2015.
Okiti had fled the country and was found residing in Zimbabwe. The stolen jewellery included a Rolex watch valued at R730 000 and cash totalling R90 000.
Okiti was sentenced to an effective four years in prison after the two additional years with two years suspended. State Prosecutor, Dinesh Nandkissor, who represented the State during the trial added, “No matter what the reason, there is no excuse or justification for theft. Theft is theft.”
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