Minor in court 8 times

Lynnia Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A 16-YEAR-OLD teenage girl from Ntalale under Chief Mathe in Gwanda who has been previously convicted of eight crimes stunned the Gwanda magistrate’s court on Friday when she said she did not know the reason why she engaged in criminal activities because she just “felt like stealing without any reason”.

The minor, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, told provincial magistrate in charge, Mr Maphios Willard Moyo when she appeared for the eighth time for stealing $897 that she did not know why she steals, she just feels like doing so.

The teenager has seven previous convictions where in October 2013 when she was still 13 she stole R2 500 in Esigodini.

In October the same year, she stole $10 and the case was handled by police at Guyu. The same month, she stole $20 and R110.

In January 2014, she stole a Huawei cellphone worth $150 and the case was handled by Gwanda urban police. It is further alleged that in January 2014 she stole a Nokia Asha worth $700. On 21 October 2014, she stole a Nokia X2 and in January 2016 she stole cash at house number 341 Spitzkop. She was appearing for stealing $897 from an EcoCash agent.

Magistrate Moyo sentenced her to four years of commitment at Kadoma Training Centre. Upon passing the judgment, Mr Moyo said the minor risks being treated like an adult in court because she seems not ready to change her behaviour.

“All you said in your mitigations has been heard and that you pleaded guilty to all the charges, the court also considered that you are a minor. However, it is disturbing that a 16-year-old girl is appearing in court for the eighth time associated with theft.

Your record of convictions is appalling as it backdates to 2013 when you were still 13. In February 2016 you were committed to Luveve Training School for girls in Bulawayo and you escaped, in 19 April 2016 you were committed to Kadoma Training Institute in which again you escaped. You are only 16 but your convictions surpass those of some adult offenders. In such a case if a young person behaves like an adult she risks being punished likewise. You are now ordered to go to Kadoma Training Institute for four years,” he said.

Allegations against her are that on 20 October at around 7pm the minor together with her friend went to Charms’ place of residence unnoticed and they forcibly opened a window which was tied with a wire through which they stole cash amounting to $897 in a wallet.

The following morning Charms discovered that his money was stolen, he then teamed up with a neighbourhood watch committee member and tracked the spoor and got to Ntalale Business Centre, caught the minor already buying goods with a $50 note. She was arrested and $242 was recovered.