Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 33-year-old Bulawayo man who attempted to break into a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) residential flat has been sentenced to community service after his plan was thwarted by an alert security guard.
Arthur Sibanda, of Parkview Flats, was recently convicted of unlawful entry when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe.
He was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, with four months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. The remaining 18 months were further suspended on condition that he performs 610 hours of community service.
Prosecuting, Ms Josephine Gurazhira told the court that on 15 October at around 10PM, Sibanda attempted to unlawfully enter Unit 7 of Lyndhurst Flats, located at the corner of Samuel Parirenyatwa Street and 8th Avenue in Bulawayo city centre.
The court heard that Sibanda tried to gain entry by tampering with the burglar-bar door, but his plan was foiled when a security guard on duty noticed suspicious activity.
“The accused was disturbed from gaining entry by the alert security personnel, leading to his apprehension and subsequent arrest,” said Ms Gurazhira.
No property was stolen as the accused failed to access the flat.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter, two Bulawayo men who were captured on closed-circuit television allegedly breaking into a city centre shop and stealing clothing and cellphones have appeared in court.
Tawanda Chigumbura (33), of no fixed abode, and Mbongeni Sibanda (27), of Mpopoma, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Casmila Madzikatire facing charges of unlawful entry.
The duo was remanded in custody until today for the commencement of the trial.
Prosecuting, Ms Sibusisiwe Sithole told the court that on August 13 at around 5.30 PM, the complainant, Ms Sehliselo Masuku, closed her shop located in the city centre after securing it by locking the doors and closing the windows.
Later that night, the court heard, the accused allegedly used an unknown object to break the glass louvred windows above the door to gain entry into the shop.
“Once inside, the accused persons stole a T-shirt, two jackets, a pair of jeans, a cap and two cellphones,” said Ms Sithole.
She said the accused were apprehended by alert security guards while committing the offence, leading to the recovery of the stolen property.
The following day, the complainant was notified of the break-in by the security guards and reported the matter to the police, resulting in the duo’s arrest.
