adminNokusa Masuku Court Reporter
Two men who stole a police officer’s bicycle at Mabuthweni Police Station were yesterday ordered to perform 210 hours of community service at Western Commonage Court complex. Moven Ncube, 22 and Bongani Sihlahla, 19, stole a bicycle on Saturday which was locked and parked at the veranda at the police station.
The bicycle belonged to Fanuel Silingo, a police officer based at Mabuthweni Police Station.
The two were convicted of theft by provincial magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo.
They were sentenced to nine months in prison but three months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining six months were wholly suspended on condition that they both perform 210 hours of community service.
Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza told the court that on Saturday last week, Ncube and Sihlahla stole a bicycle at Mabuthweni Police Station while its owner was asleep.
“Silingo had parked it in the veranda and locked it before he retired to bed. The two proceeded to Njube where they handed the bicycle to Qongani Ndlovu, their friend, for safekeeping,” said Mageza.
The court heard that when Silingo woke up at around 7AM the following morning he discovered that the bicycle was missing.
He reported the theft to police and investigations led to the arrest of the pair.
The bicyle was recovered.
derick.khumalo