Bulawayo man convicted over US$3 800 car break-in theft

A 31-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been convicted of stealing laptops, cellphones and clothing worth nearly US$4 000 after breaking into a parked vehicle at a house in the city.
Antony Sibanda (31) of Lobengula West suburb was convicted of theft by Western Commonage magistrate Mr

Bethel Negato, who remanded him in custody to Wednesday for sentencing.
Prosecuting, Ms Mandrela Chisiiwa told the court that on April 3, the complainant, Marvelous Sikhosana, parked his Honda Fit motor vehicle inside his yard after securely locking it.

He left two laptops, cellphones and clothing inside the vehicle before retiring for the night.
“The following morning, at around 6AM, the complainant discovered that a window of the vehicle had been smashed and the property had been stolen,” said Ms Chisiiwa.

The theft was reported to the police, whose investigations led to Sibanda’s arrest.
The court heard that property valued at US$3 850 was stolen, with only items worth US$645 having been recovered.

In mitigation, Sibanda pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he was an orphan whose wife had left him to take care of their two children, who are now staying with his grandmother.
He said he committed the offence because one of the children was ill and he needed money to buy medication.