Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A Harare fitness trainer who stole US$1 000 from a client’s parked vehicle at a gym in Borrowdale has been sentenced to 420 hours of community service.
Tinashe Gandari was on Wednesday convicted of theft after pleading guilty before Harare magistrate Ms Ayanda Dhlamini.
The court initially sentenced him to 15 months in prison. Three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 420 hours of community service at David Livingstone Primary School.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Mutyavaviri told the court that on October 14 last year, at around midday, the complainant Mr Allen Badzarigere, parked his car at the Pro Fitness Gym car park at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale.
Mr Badzarigere left US$5 000 in the vehicle’s glove compartment before locking the car and proceeding to the gym for a workout.
He placed the car keys inside a satchel before starting his exercises.
The court heard that while the complainant was exercising, Gandari allegedly took the car keys from the satchel, went to the parking area and unlocked the vehicle.
He then stole US$1 000 from the glove compartment before returning the keys.
After completing his workout, Mr Badzarigere returned to his vehicle and discovered that US$1 000 was missing.
He reported the matter to the police, leading to Gandari’s arrest.
The stolen money was later recovered.
