Online Reporter
Musawenkosi Moyo
A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for robbery.
Thokozani Ncube appeared before magistrate Evelyn Madzikatire facing one count of robbery. He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, of which four months were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.
A further two months were suspended on condition Ncube pays restitution in the sum of US$40 or ZiG equivalent.
He will serve an effective 24 months in prison.
When passing the sentence, the court considered the fact that Ncube knew the complainant, Tobias Mpofu, when he decided to steal from him.
“If you could steal from someone that you know in the manner that you, there is no limit to what you could do to people that you do not know,” said the magistrate.
Circumstances are that on 3 March 2025, at around 3 pm and at corner 8th Avenue and Jason Moyo Street, the complainant was walking from Palace Hotel to Unity village to collect his push cart when Ncube blocked him and demanded money.
It was heard that Ncube then proceeded to hit the complainant on the forehead and head several times, using an unknown object.
After assaulting the complainant, Ncube then searched him and took a cellphone valued at US$40, cash US$120 and ran away.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused. The value of stolen property was US$160 and nothing was recovered.
derick.khumalo