admin
Brenda Zinyuke, Court Reporter
TWO men from Bulawayo have each been sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing more than US$2 300 and other valuables from two motor vehicles in the Central Business District.
Valet Nyoni (27) from Mzilikazi suburb and Kwanele Ndlovu (29) from Makokoba suburb stole from Mr Mandla Sibanda and Ms Linda Chinobva on separate occasions during the month of July this year.
Nyoni and Ndlovu had pleaded not guilty to theft when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Tinashe Tashaya, facing two counts of theft from a motor vehicle.
The magistrate sentenced each them to 15 months in prison and suspended three months for five years on condition that the duo does not commit a similar offence within that period.
“The other nine months have been suspended on condition that each accused person performs 315 hours of community service at Barbourfields Police Station. The community service begins on September 28 and should be completed within 11 weeks.
“The remaining three months are suspended on condition that each accused person restitutes the complainants RTGS$ 2 530,” Mr Tashaya said.
Prosecuting, Mr George Rufumoyo said on July 18, Mr Sibanda parked and locked his Mercedes Benz at a parking lot along Herbert Chitepo Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue.
“The two accused persons who had parked opposite the car came up with a plan to open the car and Ndlovu approached it. He used unknown means to open and stole two bags containing the complainant’s valuables,” he said.
Mr Rufumoyo said when Mr Sibanda came out of the pharmacy, he saw Ndlovu carrying his two bags and tried to confront him but he rushed into their getaway car.
The suspects drove away at high speed.
Mr Sibanda discovered that they had stolen US$2 390 and ZW$153 from his car.
He reported the matter at Bulawayo Central Police Station.
The prosecutor said on July 25, Nyoni and Ndlovu in the company of an accomplice who is still at large, saw Ms Chinobva’s Mazda Axela which was parked at Corner 8th Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street.
“The accused persons used unknown means to open the car boot and stole a laptop valued at US$200,” he said. Ndlovu and Nyoni were arrested during Operation “No to Theft from Motor Vehicles” which was launched by police in July targeting thieves who steal from cars.
Police recovered fake number plates, scissors, screw drivers, multi-purpose knives and sharpened metals which are suspected to have been used to force open vehicle doors. – @zinyuke98
Online Reporter