Footprints give away thieves

Tendai Gukutikwa
TWO ZIMUNYA burglars who broke into three houses in the location were arrested after police traced their footprints from the crime scenes straight to their hideout.The pair has since appeared in court facing unlawful entry charges.Carlington Mupotaringa (20) pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful entry and three counts of theft when he appeared before senior magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, while his co-accused Brighton Makuvaza (23) denied the charges.
Makuvaza was remanded in custody to June 17, while Mupotaringa was also remanded in custody to today (Friday) for sentencing.
Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
Responding to the allegations, Mupotaringa said he committed the crimes in order to raise money to buy medication for his nagging tooth.
“Your Worship, I had gone to the hospital and they asked me to bring $15 as consultation fee, but I had nothing.
“That is why I went and stole from the complainants’ houses,” he told the court.
Asked on why he had not sold his goat which he claimed to possess during mitigation, Mupotaringa shocked the court by claiming that when he wanted to sell it, but could not find it.
Circumstances surrounding the matter were that the pair went to Winnet George’s homestead and broke into the house.
They allegedly stole foodstuffs and clothes.
The value of the stolen property was $150 and nothing was recovered.
On May 31 their footprints were traced leading to their arrest.
On the same day, they also unlawfully entered into George Masharata’s house and stole a bag that contained clothes.
Goods worth $100 were stolen and nothing was recovered.
Mupotaringa and Makuvaza were also alleged to have committed a series of break-ins in the area.