Chronicle Editor
Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
TWO serial burglars from Bulawayo have each been sentenced to 69 months imprisonment following a three-month robbery spree in six suburbs, stealing property worth more than $2 000.
Edwin Sayi (26) and Sipho Nkiwane (31) from Lobengula suburb stole property worth $2 670 from seven houses in Pelandaba West, Nkulumane, Emakhandeni, Pumula, Mbundane and Cowdray Park suburbs.
The duo appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing seven counts of unlawful entry and theft. They pleaded guilty.
Sayi and Nkiwane told the court that they were driven to crime by unemployment. Mr Ncube asked them if society has to suffer because they are not employed and they said “No.” Mr Ncube sentenced each of the criminals to 69 months imprisonment and suspended 10 months from each sentence for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The duo will each serve 59 months effective.
“The court considers that some of the property was recovered. However, we cannot have other people lose property because you are not employed,” said Mr Ncube.
Before he was sentenced, Sayi left the gallery in stitches when he proposed a sentence for himself to the magistrate.
“I would like to do community service at Njube Police Station for at least 200 hours,” said Sayi.
The magistrate asked him if the 200 hours would be for all his crimes and he said, “Yes.”
@NyarieBakie
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