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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
FORMER Warriors and Orlando Pirates defender Zvenyika Makonese who is now an assistant bus conductor was yesterday fined R3,000 for stealing a G-tel A718 cellphone from a police officer.
The complainant Melody Masiya had asked one of the bus crews at Beitbridge border post to recharge her phone using the bus’s phone charger.
Makonese, who is employed by K and M buses as an assistant conductor pleaded not guilty to theft when he appeared before resident magistrate Gloria Takundwa who, however, convicted him on the strength of overwhelming evidence.
He escaped jail after the magistrate slapped him with one month imprisonment with an option of an R3,000 fine.
Prosecuting, Jabulani Mberesi told the court that on an unknown date but in August, the police officer who was at Beitbridge border post approached one Farai Chinyani, a driver at Ngonweni bus services so that he could recharge her cellphone using the bus phone charger.
He said the former Shabanie Mine player entered the bus while the driver was fast asleep and stole the phone.
He then gave the cellphone to Calisto Tobaiwa in Zvishavane who sold it on his behalf.
The matter came to light when the woman went to the bus driver intending to collect her phone.
A report was made to the police leading Makonese’s arrest.
The phone which was valued at $468 was not recovered.
Online Reporter