By Religion Reporter- An administrator with SHALOM Church’s Westlea Assembly has been arrested for allegedly stealing US$21,904 in tithes and offerings.

Chipo Molly Machokonera, employed as an administration secretary, appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova on Monday, facing theft charges.

She was not asked to plead.

The court heard that between January 2023 and December 10, 2024, Machokonera was responsible for receiving, receipting, and depositing money collected from congregants.

Instead, she allegedly diverted the funds for personal use and submitted fake deposit slips to the church’s pastor, claiming she had banked the money at Steward Bank’s Joina City branch.

The alleged fraud was uncovered on December 10 when the pastor requested a bank statement and discovered the deposits were missing.

An internal audit confirmed the theft, prompting a report to the police.

Machokonera was arrested, but the stolen funds remain unrecovered.

Rufaro Chonzi represented the State.