adminTendai Gukutikwa
FIVE Diamond Lounge Restaurant employees will pay $150 fine each after they were convicted of stealing kitchenware from their employer.
They pleaded guilty to the offence, saying they unlawfully took the items since they had not been paid for three months.
Faith Ngorima (20), Tapiwa Makadzange(25), Paidamoyo Gotekote (24), Charity Chiminya (24) and Johnson Nengomasha (26) stood in the dock before Mutare senior magistrate Mrs Sekai Chiwundura facing charges of theft and unlawful entry as defined in section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
They were sentenced to four months in jail, three of which were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
“They were given an option to pay $150 fine by January 20 or spend the remaining month behind bars.
Mr Cuthbert Bhosha prosecuted.
“On 16 December, 2014 the accused persons, unlawfully, intentionally and without permission or authority from Memory Gwenzi, the lawful occupier of the premises concerned, entered the Diamond Lounge premises by opening a window and gained entry into the kitchen where they stole property worth $1 250.”
The property included a microwave, grillogas, gas tank, double chip fryer, 12 salt shakers, potato slicer, 25kg rice, 20kg mealie meal, 8kg salt, spices and marinator sauce.
Mrs Chiwundura gave them some parting words of warning and advice.
“Do not resort to self help; if you have problems with your employer, you go to the Labour Court.
“Don’t solve problems by creating other problems because you run the risk of going to prison.”
Online Reporter