A long-serving and well-respected teacher from Selbourne Primary School in Harare has been ordered to perform 170 hours of community service after being convicted of stealing US$5,200 from her husband, bringing a dramatic end to what had been an 18-year marriage.
Patricia Yusufu, who has been well-known in education circles for her professionalism and years of committed service, appeared before Harare magistrate Nyaradzo Manokore, who delivered a judgment that balanced punishment, rehabilitation, and restitution. The case drew significant public interest, partly because of Yusufu’s position in the community and the sensitive personal circumstances surrounding the matter.
In her ruling, Magistrate Manokore handed down a 24-month prison sentence, but suspended it on strict conditions. The suspension applies for three years, meaning Yusufu will avoid jail time only if she demonstrates good behaviour and refrains from any future offences involving dishonesty.
Magistrate Manokore stated clearly in court:
“The accused is sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for three years on the condition that she does not commit any offences involving dishonesty during this period.”
She added that any violation of this condition would result in immediate imprisonment without the possibility of paying a fine.
Beyond the suspended sentence, the court addressed the financial loss suffered by her estranged husband, Mike Charles. To satisfy restitution requirements, Magistrate Manokore ordered Yusufu to repay the full US$5,200 by 31 November 2025. This component of the sentence replaces 18 months of the prison term, meaning failure to repay the money could activate the jail time.
The magistrate also outlined the community service requirement:
“The last two months of imprisonment hinge on her completing 170 hours of community service at Wilkins Hospital within five weeks.”
This means the community service must be completed within tight timelines for Yusufu to remain in compliance with the court order.
Selbourne Primary School Teacher Sentenced to Community Service After Conviction for Stealing US$5,200 From Husband
Court records and testimony painted a picture of a once-stable marriage that deteriorated sharply before the theft occurred. Mike Charles told the court that he and Yusufu had been married for nearly two decades, sharing a home and raising a family together.
However, he said their relationship fell apart when he discovered what he described as his wife’s involvement with other men. Although the court focused strictly on the theft charge, the testimony helped explain the breakdown of trust that accompanied the criminal complaint.
Charles alleged he had found messages and other evidence suggesting that his wife had been involved in multiple extramarital relationships. One man, identified only as Walter, a Zimbabwean living in the United Kingdom, was mentioned repeatedly during proceedings.
According to Charles:
“I found evidence that my wife had been involved with three different men, including Walter, who bought her a Honda Fit.”
These claims, while not central to the legal verdict, helped illustrate the emotional and financial turmoil that preceded the theft. The court, however, restricted its judgment to the proven charge: the taking of US$5,200 without consent.
For many who know Yusufu professionally, the case has come as a shock. Colleagues described her as a dedicated educator who took pride in her work. Parents whose children she has taught said they were surprised to hear she had become involved in a court matter of this nature.
The verdict has sparked difficult conversations within the school community, particularly about the pressures families face and the personal struggles individuals may carry behind closed doors. Despite public curiosity, officials from Selbourne Primary have not issued any formal comment, saying only that they will follow standard procedures for employees who face criminal convictions.
After sentencing, journalists approached Yusufu for comment, hoping to hear her side of the story or her reflections on the verdict. She declined to speak, walking briskly to her vehicle and leaving the courthouse without addressing the media. Her silence has added a layer of mystery to a case already marked by emotional tension and unanswered questions.
Meanwhile, Charles expressed relief that the legal process had concluded and said his priority now is recovering from the financial and personal shock of the past months.
As the case closes, many observers are left reflecting on how a respected figure in the education system found herself at the centre of a dramatic legal and marital breakdown. What remains certain is that the ruling has set clear conditions: restitution, accountability, and community service—each serving as a reminder of the consequences of breaching trust within both family and society.
SOURCE- IHARARE
