adminWynne Zanamwe, Midlands Reporter
A MAN from Gokwe was lucky to escape with a community service sentence after illegally connecting electricity at his shop.
Costain Chenyika (28) appeared before Gokwe South Magistrate Mr Collen Chiruma facing one count of illegally connecting power.
He pleaded guilty.
Mr Chiruma sentenced Chenyika to 12 months in prison but suspended two months of his sentence on condition that he restitutes ZETDC $389, 27 before July 20.
“In addition four months of your sentence are suspended for the next five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining six months are wholly suspended on the condition that the accused completes 210 hours of community service at Mapfumo Primary School in Gokwe,” he said.
Prosecuting, Mrs Hendrina Mbwarume told the court that on a date not known to the prosecution but in August last year, Chenyika illegally connected electricity directly from the main breaker to the shop.
She said he by-passed the meter, thereby evading charges.
“On April 19, a ZETDC credit control team in Kwekwe noticed that the accused was using electricity without permission. They tasked Gokwe ZETDC to investigate the meter. The matter was reported to the police and the value which was produced for meter 37130198791 is $389, 27, leading to his arrest,” said Mrs Mbwarume.
derick.khumalo