Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE man has been sentenced to an effective 15 months in prison for unlawfully entering a house and stealing property worth over US$1 600.
Pardon Chingwena (35) was convicted after a full trial before Mbare magistrate Mr Midzi on charges of unlawful entry and theft.
The court initially sentenced Chingwena to 24 months’ imprisonment.
However, three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while a further six months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant, leaving him to serve an effective 15-month jail term.
Prosecutor Ms Rejoice Mushaka told the court that on December 20, 2025, the complainant, Mr William Mazvimba, travelled to his rural home, leaving his brother-in-law, Munashe Mufundirwa, at the house.
During the New Year’s period, Mufundirwa also left the premises to celebrate, leaving the house unoccupied. It was during this time, on New Year’s Eve, that Chingwena allegedly broke into the house and stole various items, including 15 blankets, a television set, a speaker and 18 pairs of shoes.
The theft went unnoticed until January 2026, when Mufundirwa discovered the break-in and informed Mazvimba, who was still in the rural areas. Upon his return on January 3, 2026, Mazvimba reported the matter to ZRP Glen Norah.
On January 29, 2026, the complainant received a tip-off implicating Chingwena. He alerted the police and accompanied officers to the accused’s residence, where three blankets were recovered from his mother’s house.
The total value of the stolen property was US$1 641, of which only US$60 worth was recovered. Chingwena was subsequently arrested, leading to his conviction and sentencing.
