Cellphone thief to do unpaid work

unsuspecting drunken revellers.

The gang pounced on Nhamo Chingwena (39) and his friend Edgar Chakwanda (26) who were sleeping on the floor dead drunk inside the nightclub.
They reached for Chakwanda’s trousers’ pocket and cut it with a sharp object and stole US$13 and a Nokia cellphone.

They also cut Chingwena’s belt and reached for the inner pocket and fished out US$18 and another Nokia cellphone.
Their luck ran out after a patron spotted them and informed the drunken pair when they woke up.

The pair reported the matter to the police, leading to Katongomara’s arrest.
Katongomara admitted to theft charges when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta.

He was slapped with a one-year prison term but six months were suspended for the next five years.
The remaining six months were suspended on condition Katongomara performed community service at the President’s Office.

Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa appeared for the State.