adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A 24-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested for stealing a box of apples turned violent and bit the arresting officer while in hadcuffs. Martin Mativenga of Hillcrest was yesterday convicted of theft and sentenced to 42 months in prison by provincial magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze. Msipa-Marondedze said what aggravated Mativenga’s crime was that he attempted to escape from lawful custody and in the process bit the arresting officer.
Mativenga attempted to run away from Bulawayo Central Police Station.
“You deserve to be locked up. You’re sentenced to six months in prison for theft, 24 months in prison for assault and 12 months in prison for escaping from lawful custody,” said Msipa-Marondedze.
Mativenga will however serve an effective 30 months in prison after 12 months were suspended on condition that he does not within the next five years commit a similar offence.
Prosecuting, Adelaide Chikweshe said on January 19, at around 4PM, the complainant bought a box of apples at the market at corner 5th Avenue and Jason Moyo Street, Bulawayo.
She left the box at the market and Mativenga then stole the box.
The complainant later caught Mativenga red-handed selling the apples.
She then reported the matter to the police leading to Mativenga’s arrest.
When he was taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station, Mativenga who was in hadcuffs, escaped when the main gate was opened to let in a vehicle.
A police officer ran after him and Mativenga bit him on the arm as he dragged him back to the police station.
Online Reporter