adminKay Kaseke Sunday News Correspondent
A HABITUAL cellphone thief from Mawabeni area in Esigodini will spend 23 years behind bars after he was sentenced to an effective 282 months in prison on 28 counts of theft and unlawful entry. The accused, Amin Thabo Moyo (23), of Mtshede Village in Esigodini, who was released on 26 February this year from prison under the Presidential amnesty, proved that he was not ready for life outside prison as he committed his first crime on 2 March, just three days after being released.
Esigodini magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube, heard that Moyo, soon after being released from jail went on a robbery spree from 2 March to 7 June.
The State represented by the prosecutor, Mr Acumen Khupe, told the court that Moyo faced 14 counts of unlawful entry and 14 counts of theft of which one count each of unlawful entry and theft were dropped due to lack of evidence.
He pleaded guilty to all the 26 counts.
The court heard that Moyo broke into a homestead belonging to Mr Themba Mlalazi in Mtshede Village where he stole two cellphones, a Nokia 1200 and a Nokia 1110i both valued at $62 and 20 rand. On his arrest just $30 was recovered.
On another count, Moyo is said to have broken into a house belonging to an Agritex officer based at Esibomvu area, Miss Moreblessing Tamayi, at around 1am, where he got away with two Nokia Ashas, a memory card and a Nokia battery all valued at $235.
So daring was Moyo that at one point he entered one Ngqabutho Mahlangu’s homestead at Terrylin Village and fished out his cellphone which he had put on the window sill after making a phone call.
On 30 April, Moyo committed three counts each of unlawful entry and theft, in all cases he got away with cellphones.
In all the 26 counts, Moyo got away with various models of cellphones, all but two of which were recovered and were produced as exhibits in court.
Moyo on 11 May stole cash amounting to $1 810 and two cellphones. Only $180 was recovered.
The accused throughout the month of May and June, continued with his spree, committing the crimes of unlawful entry and theft.
In total the accused stole cash amounting to $1 810 and R20 and property amounting to $1 338 and property valued at $976 was recovered.
The magistrate, Mr Ncube, said passing a long sentence on Moyo was the only way to deter would be offenders.
Online Reporter