Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
AS the old proverb says, trust is like a wheelbarrow, once the wheel comes off, you push nothing but problems.
A Thorngroove welder can now relate to the above after being dragged to court for conning a security guard who had paid him to make a scotchcart.
Jayson Mabhena (57) of Mzilikazi, a welder at Mpofu Garage, found himself facing the music after pocketing cash and materials meant for the scotchcart, only to sell the finished product like a hot second hand secret.
Mabhena appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Casmila Madzikatire who handed him a neatly welded sentence of 24 months imprisonment. Six months were suspended on condition he pays restitution, twelve months were suspended on condition he completes 420 hours of community service and the remaining six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour. In short, the court said work hard, behave well and stop selling other people’s wheels.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that sometime in July 2024, date unknown, Innocent Ncube, a security guard, approached Mabhena to build him a scotchcart. The deal was clean. Ncube supplied all the materials and paid for labour upfront.
Mabhena promised delivery and even went ahead and built the scotchcart. Unfortunately, instead of handing it over, he allegedly sold it without permission.
Ncube made several follow ups but got nothing except excuses that probably needed no electricity. On July 29 2024, patience snapped and a police report followed.
The court heard that US$500 vanished with the scotchcart and nothing was recovered.
derick.khumalo