Man fined $20 for stealing 4 maize cobs

Sukoluhle Ndlovu
A 45-year-old Gweru man was fined $20 for stealing four maize cobs worth a $1.

The man, Togarepi Marima of 2438 Garikai Mtapa, was arraigned before Gweru magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda facing a charge of theft and he pleaded guilty.

In his defence Marima told the court that hunger forced him to steal the maize cobs.

a�?Your worship I admit that I stole from Sibanda. I was hungry and my children had nothing to eat so I decided to help myself to Sibandaa��s maize cobs. May this court be lenient on me because I have children and a wife to look after,a�? said Marima.

Passing his sentence, Chibanda bemoaned the rise in theft cases.

a�?Theft cases are on the rise these days. This court has therefore seen it fit that you are given a penalty that would deter would-be offenders. You will therefore pay a fine of $20 through the clerk of court,a�? said Chibanda.

Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on an unknown date but during the month of March, the complainant Bayron Simon Sibanda discovered that some maize cobs had been stolen from his maize field near Gafa grounds in Gweru.

It is then that Sibanda decided to guard his maize field. On March 21 and at around 5pm, Marima went to Sibandaa��s maize field and stole four cobs of maize while Sibanda was watching him.

Upon realising that Sibanda had seen him, Marima fled from the scene but Sibanda went after him and caught him.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Marimaa��s arrest.

The value of stolen goods was $1 and all was recovered.