adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 36-year-old Plumtree cobbler was yesterday sentenced to seven years in jail for stealing a vehicle belonging to a policeman.
Professor Ndlela also stole a cellphone from another villager which he used to call Thomas Manhiva who is stationed at ZRP Plumtree.
Ndlela appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira yesterday facing theft and driving without a licence charges.
He pleaded not guilty to car theft and driving without a licence, but admitted to stealing a cellphone.
“This court finds you guilty as charged and you’re convicted of all three offences that you’re are being charged with. You are therefore sentenced to seven years imprisonment of which three years are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” said magistrate Dzira.
Ndlela said Manhiva owed him more than $1,000 and the policeman had consented that he takes the vehicle for some days as a way of paying back the debt.
“I didn’t steal any vehicle or drive without a licence. Manhiva owed me $1,200 and we agreed that he would lend me his car for 10 days as a way of paying back what he owed me. I didn’t steal his car but he consented to me taking it for a couple of days,” said Ndlela.
Prosecuting , Tinashe Dzipe told the court that on December 8, at around 3.10PM, Ndlela hatched a plan to steal Manhiva’s Mazda Bongo vehicle.
Before he approached Manhiva, Ndlela went to Ncube and asked to use his Nokia Asha phone.
Ndlela then disappeared with the phone.
A few hours later, he called and lied to Manhiva that he wanted to transport his luggage from Plumtree to Dombodema and promised to come back the same day.
Manhiva handed over the car keys under the belief that his vehicle would be driven by Lorin Nkolome, a licenced driver.
Ndlela did not return and efforts to locate him were fruitless, forcing Manhiva to make a police report.
On December 25, police received information that Ndlela was in Nembudziya, Gokwe, with the vehicle.
Police detectives made a follow up and arrested him on December 26.
The stolen motor vehicle was recovered but a Sony car radio, a radio speaker, a fire extinguisher, among others valued at $735 were not recovered.
Online Reporter