Online Reporter
Musawenkosi Moyo
AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy from Richmond suburb in Bulawayo was sentenced to 27 months in jail for possession of a firearm and unlawful entry.
Ian Mpofu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Evia Matura, facing charges of unlawful entry and possession of a firearm without a firearm certificate.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges, was convicted, and was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment for unlawful entry, of which six months were suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
A further nine months were suspended on the condition that he pays restitution of US$1 150 to the complainant being the value of the stolen items.
For possession of a firearm, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, resulting in an effective 27-month jail term.
The court heard that on 10 December 2024, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department Homicide Bulawayo received a tip-off that the accused person was in possession of a firearm at his place of residence.
It was proved that the detectives apprehended the accused person at his residence, leading to the recovery of a 22 rifle Birmingham Barrel Tube, without ammunition, in a bushy area between Stanley Road and Alexander Road, along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road.
When requested to produce a firearm certificate, the accused failed to do so, leading to his arrest and the subsequent seizure of the firearm.
Further investigation revealed that Ian had stolen the gun from the complainant, Martin Sherfield’s residence in Richmond suburb, on 16 September 2024, at around 4pm. He had used an unknown object to break into the main gate.
After gaining access to the premises, he broke open the windows of three cars and stole three car batteries.
He then proceeded to break open the kitchen window using an unknown object and entered the house, where he stole a microwave, three solar batteries, and the 22 rifle Birmingham Barrel Tube.
The total value of the stolen items was US$1 500, and items valued at US$350 were recovered.
