Chronicle Editor
Brenda Zinyuke, Court Reporter
A MAN from Bulawayo has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for engaging in a spate of robberies and getting away with property worth more than $16 000.
Arise Moyo (24) of Emganwini suburb stole from his father, Mr Ephraim Moyo (63), Mr Gibson Phinda (42), Mr Langton Zhuwawo (20) and Mr Kuda Wadi (25) all of Emganwini suburb.
Some of the stolen property includes zinc sheets, asbestos sheets and door frames among other items.
Moyo pleaded guilty to five counts of theft when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove.
He was convicted and sentenced to 40 months in prison. Six months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
A further 12 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainants.
Moyo will serve an effective 22 months in prison.
He told the court that he stole the property because he had been promised some cash in United States dollars.
For the State, Mr Steward Madzore said on October 7 last year at around 12PM, Moyo stole his father’s building material and loaded it into a truck as his younger brother watched.
“The accused person took five zinc sheets, four wooden doors, two steel cabinets, ceiling boards, 10 asbestos sheets and ridges. He loaded them into a truck without the complainant’s permission and went away,” he said.
“On December 1 of the same year, the complainant left for church and when he came back later, he discovered that five window frames had been stolen. He was told by his neighbour that the accused person had stolen the property.”
On December 22 last year at around 6PM, Moyo allegedly borrowed a cell phone from Mr Wadi who left him with it while he went to bath.
“When the complainant came out of the bathroom, he discovered that the accused person had left with his cell phone without his permission,” Mr Madzore said.-@zinyuke98.
Online Reporter