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Lovemore Meya Court Correspondent
A former soldier was jailed for four months on Monday after he was convicted of stealing his father’s property worth $75 and threatened to stab him with a knife.
Wellington Mukambachaza (30) of Unit K in Chitungwiza, was also found in possession of camouflage and two rounds of ammu- nition.
Mukambachaza pleaded guilty to charges of theft and possession of army fatigues and dangerous weapons.
He denied the charge of threatening his father.
Mukambachaza appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo, who slapped him with a $60 fine or 10 days in prison on theft charges and four months for possessing an army uniform and the rounds of ammunition.
On the charge of threatening his father, Mukambachaza was remanded in custody to November 13 for trial.
He told the court that he used the ammunition to scare away wild animals at his grandfather’s farm.
Mukambachaza said he failed to return the army uniform after being discharged from service on medical grounds.
Passing sentence, Mr Murendo said Mukambachaza’s behaviour was uncalled for.
“You are unashamed of yourself after stealing your father’s property. The combination of live rounds and camouflage makes this case serious since they can be used for robbery, hence a custodial sentence meets the justice of the case,” said Mr Murendo.
Prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi told the court that in September this year, Mukambachaza’s father was at his rural home.
Mukambachaza took advantage of his absence to steal a sewing machine and a motorbike carrier box at his Chitungwiza house.
He sold them at the Unit L open market in the same town.
His father discovered the offence when he returned hom and reported the matter to the police.
Police found an army camouflage and rounds of ammunition hidden under a mattress, leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter