adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A habitual thief from Pumula East broke down and begged a regional magistrate to help him exorcise evil spirits that he said made him want to steal everything he sets his eyes on.
Marvelous Dube, 23, who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for four counts of theft, told magistrate Chrispen Mberewere in mitigation on Tuesday that he was cursed when he was young and has been failing to stop himself from stealing.
“Your Honour I have tried going to inyangas, tsikamutandas, white-garment prophets and counsellors and they have failed to help me stop stealing. I even have a staff from one of the prophets that I always carry with me but it has also failed to help me. I tried my best to resist the devil,” he said after pleading guilty.
Dube also added that it was not his intention to steal from the four complainants who lost their phones and cars to him.
Magistrate Mberewere convicted him and advised him to desist from stealing from other people.
“You are as guilty as charged and therefore sentenced to 10 years imprisonment of which two years are suspended for five years on condition that you do not commit a similar offence”.
Prosecuting Trust Muduma said Moyo visited Glent Moyo on July 18 and was allowed into the house as he used to deliver the family’s groceries from South Africa.
“Moyo made him tea and left him in the kitchen to drink. Dube took advantage of her absence and drank tea before dashing off with her Samsung phone,” said Muduma.
“Dube met Fanuel Maphosa, a taxi driver, and befriended him on the pretext that he was looking for a fellow taxi driver on August 28. The men spent some time together inside the car as it was cold until they went for lunch. Soon after lunch Dube asked if he could put his jacket inside Maphosa’s car and he was given car keys.”
He said Dube got into the car and drove off without Maphosa’s consent.
“Dube also stole from Sibusiso Nkiwane who is his old friend. After stealing Maphosa’s car he passed by seeing Nkiwane. Upon arrival Dube pretended he wanted to revive their friendship and asked for water. Nkiwane left a phone in the car and went to get water but was shocked when he discovered Dube had disappeared from his gate,” said Muduma.
He said on the fourth count, Dube sought taxi services from Mathew Mhlanga and was charged $10 on August 18.
“When they were approaching Malaba Shopping Centre, Dube produced $20 note as payment and Mhlanga decided to stop and look for change leaving the car keys in the ignition. He went from shop to shop until Dube joined him and before Mhlanga could return to his car, Dube jumped into the car and drove off leaving him behind.”
Dube was soon after involved in an accident using the stolen car which suffered extensive damages.
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