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A man from Mkoba landed himself in trouble after stealing linen from a church.
Tatenda Ncube of 974 Mkoba 4 appeared before Gweru magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda and he pleaded guilty to stealing religious linen belonging to The Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Zimbabwe (AFM).
In his defence, Ncube told the court that he stole the linen as he wanted to raise funds to pay his rent.
a�?You worship I admit stealing the church linen. The reason why I did that is because I wanted to raise money for my rentals and I regret what I did. May the honourable court exercise its leniency towards me since I am taking care of my relative who is blind,a�? said Ncube.
Chibanda would have none of it, as he slapped Ncube with 12 months imprisonment.
a�?You should have thought of that relative of yours before committing the crime. I am also sure that you are not the only relative of that person. You are therefore sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, three months is, however, suspended on condition that you do not commit a similar crime in the next five years. Another one month is set aside on condition that you restitute the complainant,a�? said Chibanda.
Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on 16 July, Ncube went to AFM Mkoba branch and stole 15 metres of gold linen, 30 metres white linen and went away without being noticed.
He was then arrested by detectives after they got a tip-off.
Gracious Rongai prosecuted.
derick.khumalo