Flea market vendors convicted of theft

Ronald Mpofu – [email protected]
TWO Bulawayo flea market traders were on Tuesday arraigned before the courts for stealing merchandise worth over US$300 from a fellow trader.
Pretty Magutshwa (50), a mother of 11, and her accomplice, Archford Tembo (40) both from Hillside suburb were convicted on their own pleas of guilty to theft by Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Beverly Mashingaidze. They were remanded in custody for sentencing today.
According to court papers, it was stated that on August, 31 2024, Magutshwa and Tembo were caught selling the stolen goods comprising clothes and hats belonging to the complainant, Ms Beulla Sipho Ndebele.
Further investigations were carried out which led to the arrest of Magutshwa, and the subsequent recovery of the stolen items hidden in her house.
The goods were stolen on August 29 at Fourwinds Shopping Centre in Bulawayo. The total value of stolen goods was US $312 and only goods worth US $128 were recovered.
In mitigation, Tembo pleaded for leniency, saying she stole the goods to maximise profits while Magutshwa said she wanted to raise money to pay school fees for her triplets.