Cheeky thief pleads to see mom before going to jail

Leonard Ncube

A VICTORIA Falls thief with many demands has been arrested once more but with one last wish- to see his mother before going back to the slammer.

“I beg the court to allow me to go and see my mother for the last time

before I go to jail,” pleaded Mqhelisi Sibanda (28).

He was last week convicted of unlawful entry and theft after he broke into a house and stole a radio speaker. In November last year he was released from prison and had a lot to say when he attended a National Budget consultation meeting at Chinotimba Hall.

“My appeal is for government to increase the number of meals in jail because WE are starving there! Inmates are given two meals and may you increase to four, people we are starving,” he told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Finance.

This time around he goes back after he was slapped with six months in jail for unlawful entry and four months for theft. He had a previous two months suspended on condition of good behaviour from his last arrest brought back by magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje.

On the four months for the second count, Sibanda had two suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

He will serve an effective 10 months.

In his defence, Sibanda said he was hungry and entered the house belonging to a maintenance manager of Ilala Lodge on Wood Road. He said he wanted to look for food and not to steal.

The complainant, however, told the court that he caught Sibanda red handed in the house with a boom speaker valued at $30 in his hands before he could make good his escape.

The magistrate said while he had pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and not wasted the court’s time, Sibanda was a dangerous citizen who had refused to repent hence the court had a duty to send an anti-crime message to would-be offenders.

Sibanda proceeded to house number 345 B Wood Road on 24 December 2018 at around 6pm and broke a bathroom window to gain entry.

While inside he took a boom box speaker which was in the lounge.

He was caught by the owner before he could leave.