Online Reporter
Ryan Sibanda and Getrude Manyande, Zimpapers Writers
A 25-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective five months in prison after he robbed a pedestrian of a cellphone and a pair of sneakers before separately stealing his brother’s cellphone.
Mehluli Nhliziyo of Nguboyenja suburb was convicted of robbery and theft by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere.
For the theft charge, the court fined him US$200 or, in default of payment, sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment. An additional 30 days’ imprisonment was wholly suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant US$200.
On the robbery charge, Nhliziyo was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, with two months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. A further two months were suspended on condition that he pays US$270 in restitution, leaving him with an effective five-month custodial sentence.
Prosecuting, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that on June 8 at about 2AM, Nhliziyo stole a Samsung F06 cellphone belonging to his brother, Israel Dlodlo.
The cellphone had been left in the sitting room where the complainant was asleep.
“The accused person took the cellphone and left unnoticed. A report was made to the police leading to his arrest and subsequent recovery of the stolen cellphone,” said Ms Ndirayire.
The court heard that in a separate incident on June 15 at around 1AM, Nicholas Mwanza (34) was walking to the Home of Peace in Thorngrove with his girlfriend when Nhliziyo confronted them.
Ms Ndirayire said Nhliziyo shone a torch at the couple before tripping Mwanza and he fell to the ground.
He then searched the complainant and stole a ZTE Blade cellphone and a pair of sneakers before fleeing from the scene.
The total value of the stolen property was US$470 and nothing was recovered.
