adminTendai Gukutikwa
A 22-YEAR-OLD man this week left the court gallery in stitches when he tried to evade a harsh sentence by claiming that he was a Grade 7 pupil at Dangare Government Primary School. Forget Muchena of Maonde, Sakubva, was convicted on his own guilty plea of theft charges when he appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura.
The matter was adjourned to today for sentence. Prosecuting was Mr Donald Mudadirwa.
It was the State’s case that on February 21, detectives on patrol confiscated two boxes of Zed from a commuter omnibus at Sakubva Musika.
“Constables Mumba and Chin’anga failed to identify the owner of the 80 bottles of Zed and confiscated them. They took the alcohol to a shed for safekeeping,” he said.
Mr Mudadirwa told the court that Muchena was seen grabbing the beer before taking to his heels.
In mitigation, Muchena told the court that he was still in primary school and needed the money to pay school fees at Dangare Government Primary School.
“Your Worship, I am still in Grade 7 and a jail term will be a harsh sentence to me.
“I need to further my education and I hope the court’s ruling will not affect my education.
“Of course, I grabbed the alcohol because I wanted to sell it and raise money for school fees,” he tearfully said as he begged the court for leniency.
Muchena also told the court that his parents were late and was staying with his elder brother who was not employed.
Online Reporter