Online Reporter
Musawenkosi Moyo
A 38-YEAR-OLD man from Fort Rixon, Matabeleland South, appeared in court facing charges of stealing groceries from his neighbour.
Casper Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Evia Matura, facing one count of theft.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Three months of the sentence were suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years. A further three months were suspended on the condition that the accused pay a restitution of US$50 being the value of the stolen goods.
The remaining six months were suspended on the condition that he completes 210 hours of community service at Siyazama Primary School.
When asked why he committed the crime, the accused stunned the court by stating that he was drunk and had been possessed by the devil.
The court heard that on February 22, 2025, in Fort Rixon, the complainant, Nkosana Moyo, and the accused, who are neighbours, went to drink alcohol together.
They returned to the complainant’s home later that night, and the accused slept there as he was unable to return to his own house.
It was heard that the following day, while the complainant was asleep, the accused took groceries, including two litres of cooking oil, two kilogrammes of sugar, two kilogrammes of rice, one kilogramme of salt, two litres of milk, and one loaf of bread.
The accused also stole a cellphone, a wheelbarrow, and US$50 from the complainant. The total value of the stolen property was US$135, and items worth US$85 were recovered.
The court heard that the complainant woke up around 8 am and noticed that the accused had left and that some of his property was missing.
He reported the matter to the police, which led to the arrest of the accused.
