adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A DARING car thief was yesterday slapped with an eight-year jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to driving off with a stranger’s vehicle which he found parked outside a night club in Bulawayo’s city centre. Genius Nkuzane, 31, was arrested in Murehwa 20 days after stealing Brian Mlilo’s Toyota Sprinter.Nkuzane pleaded guilty and told regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze that something mysterious prompted him to steal the vehicle.
Sentencing him, Magistrate Msipa-Marondedze said car theft was a serious crime.
“In coming up with your sentence, the court considered your plea of guilty. However, car theft is a very serious crime and imprisonment is the only sentence that will serve justice,” said magistrate Msipa-Marondedze.
“You’re therefore sentenced to eight years in prison of which two years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.” Concilia Ncube for the State told the court that on February 4 at around 9PM, Nkuzane spotted Mlilo parking his vehicle outside a night club.
“Mlilo disembarked from the vehicle and went into the club with the intention of relieving himself leaving the keys in the ignition and doors unlocked. While Mlilo was inside the club, Nkuzane unlawfully opened the vehicle and drove off at high speed,” said Ncube.
After about three minutes, Mlilo came back from the club only to find his car gone.
“When he inquired about his vehicle from the guard, Mlilo heard that Nkuzane took it and that he frequented the club.
“Mlilo made a police report the following day leading to investigations,” said Ncube.
On February 26, detectives received information that Nkuzane had relocated to Murehwa.
“Mlilo was arrested by Murehwa detectives and was brought to Bulawayo where he helped police recover the stolen vehicle in the custody of a security guard stationed at a Gwabalanda car park,” Ncube said.
She said Nkuzane led detectives to recover a laptop and a 20 litre jerry can that were in the vehicle and had been bought by Vumani Ndlovu.
Online Reporter