Juju thieves jailed

Court Reporter
Two thieves who used juju which made them feel cold when in contact with money will spend the next two-and-a-half years in prison.
Wonder Sande (24) and his friend Munyaradzi Matarara (29) both of Zengeza 1, Chitungwiza, revealed this in court while facing charges of unlawful entry and theft. The pair also narrated that as part of their rituals, they would dump unwanted stolen items at a grave yard. The stolen cash and clothes were valued at US$916.

Prosecutor Mr Lovet Muringwa proved that on July 24 and at around 8:30am at Huruyadzo Service Station canteen, Juliet Mhiripiri of St Mary’s who owns the canteen, left her laptop bag unattended behind the counter.

The bag had US$850 cash, a pair of slops, and skirt among other clothes.
The two accused sneaked in and stole the bag. On finding her bag missing, Mhiripiri made a police report.  She then turned to the closed circuit television video, which had captured everything. This led to the arrest of the pair at their homes. They led officers to the recovery of some of the stolen clothes at a cemetery near KC Funeral Services in St Mary’s.

Sande surrendered US$50 as remainder from the loot while Matarara had nothing as he had used his share on rent.
They were convicted on their own plea before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini.

He sentenced them each to four years in prison but set aside one year for the next five years. Another six months were suspended on condition they restitute Mhiripiri US$800 by September 30.