Man steals from girlfriend to spoil wife

Until that person is proven guilty and convicted by the courts of law, that person, no matter what evidence is against him/her, is presumed to be innocent

Brenda Zinyuke, Court Reporter

A Bulawayo man has been sentenced to a wholly suspended six months in prison for stealing money from his girlfriend and using it to spoil his wife.

Jutha Moyo (54) of Killarney stole US$100, R100 and $90 from Ms Norah Mabhena (48) of Nguboyenja suburb.

Moyo pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Lizwe Jamela.

He was sentenced to a wholly suspended six months in prison on condition that he restitutes Ms Mabhena before the end of this month.

Mr Jamela said he had taken into account that Moyo was a first offender and had pleaded guilty to the charge without wasting the court’s time

However, the magistrate showed displeasure in Moyo’s audacity to betray his girlfriend’s trust and steal from her only to send the money to his wife.

“It is difficult for me to understand how a man as old as your age would be this sneaky. You waited for your girlfriend to leave the bedroom to prepare food for you then you searched her jacket? How could you betray her trust?” he asked.

“You stole her money and sent it to your wife back in the rural areas? I guess your wife was really impressed and called out all your totems. This is ridiculous.”

Moyo told the court that he needed the money to pay for his children’s school fees and he had used part of the money to buy alcohol.

Prosecuting, Mr Terrence Chakabuda said on Tuesday, Moyo was in Ms Mabhena’s bedroom when he decided to steal from her.

“The complainant left the bedroom to prepare food in the kitchen and the accused person searched her jacket. He took US$100, R100 and $90,” he said.

The matter was reported to the police and investigations were carried out leading to Moyo’s arrest.

Only $90 was recovered.-@zinyuke98