adminMathew Masinge
CHIVHU’S self-proclaimed prophet, Tinashe Mukote, has lost his appeal against his conviction for unlawful entry and malicious damage to property in which he was handed an 18-year jail sentence.
Mukote, in connivance with his wife, had committed the offence after they broke into their landlord’s house, where they stole cash and other valuables.
He later set the house on fire to conceal the evidence.
The prophet also used proceeds from the raid to purchase a vehicle and some to spoil his wife and relatives.
He was convicted by Chivhu Magistrate on October 29, 2021, and jailed eight years for the unlawful entry, and 10 years, for malicious damage to property.
He approached the court seeking to note his appeal out of time.
However, Justice Benjamin Chikowero, ruled that the appeal was of no use.
“Some of the complainant’s property was recovered. Mukote had lavished it on his relatives.
“In the circumstances, therefore, the learned magistrate did not rely on the co-accused’s defence to convict Mukote.
“The testimony of the investigating officer was crucial in convicting Mukote.
“The latter could not explain the source of the money, part of which he had used to purchase a vehicle, and was using it to spoil his relatives,” reads the judge’s findings.
The prophet was linked to the offence after his landlord’s particulars were found in his bedroom.
“The recovery of the complainant’s driver’s licence from the applicant’s bedroom, a black satchel, English Exercise book, Covid exemption letter, in respect of the complainant, as well as the complainant’s CABS bank account statement, and a Sunrise Readers book from Moses Mafukidze’s residence (where the applicant had taken them to) inexorably connected the applicant to the commission of the offences.
“There was overwhelming evidence against the applicant,
“The intended appeal against the conviction is certain to fail,” reads the judgment.
Online Reporter