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A HOMELESS man who was caught in possession of a firearm without a licence was yesterday jailed for 12 months by Gweru magistrate Judith Taruvinga. Benjamin Sibanda, 18, who lives in a bushy area situated along Gweru River, had pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm without a licence when he appeared before Taruvinga on Wednesday.
Sibanda will serve an effective eight months after Taruvinga suspended four months on condition of good behaviour.
For the state, Helen Khosa told the court that on Monday this week, at around 8AM, police were called after reports of a man waving a gun at passers-by.
Police raced to the scene and arrested Sibanda, but they could not find a gun after a body search.
The court heard that the police then interviewed Sibanda who confessed to possessing a gun.
Khosa said Sibanda then took the police to a bushy area near Gweru River Bridge where he had buried the gun, a Revolver Ross 38.
She said the revolver was wrapped in a woollen jersey.
In mitigation, a remorseful Sibanda said he had no intention of using the gun.
Online Reporter