Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara [email protected]
A 41-year-old Bulawayo man who robbed a complainant of his Samsung AS3 cellphone and US$100 cash at knife point has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Khulekani Nyathi of Emganwini, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla facing a charge of robbery as defined in Section 126 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. He was found guilty as charged.
In passing the sentence, the magistrate ruled that the accused person used a weapon to attack the complainant and that the complainant did not recover any of his property.
The accused was then sentenced to four years in prison, of which one year was suspended on condition of good behavior. He will serve three years effectively.
The State, represented by Ms Tsungai Mutapi, told the court that on May 9 and at around 8PM, near McKeurtan Primary School, Henry Ndebele the complainant was returning home from town. Acting in connivance, the accused person approached the complainant together with his accomplice who is still at large.
“The accused person then grabbed the complainant by the neck from behind and drew an okapi knife and stabbed the complainant at the top of his right eye,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court heard that the accused person then demanded money from the complainant whilst his accomplice was searching the complainant and took a Samsung AS3 cellphone and cash amounting to US$100.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations were done leading to the arrest of the accused. The value of the stolen property is US$100 and ZAR2 500 and nothing was recovered.
