Chronicle Editor
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A 34-year-old employee at Mpilo Central Hospital has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of stealing mobile phones from patients while they were in a vulnerable state.
The court proceedings revealed that the worker exploited the patients’ illness to commit the thefts, leading to his conviction for three counts of theft after a full trial.
He will, however, perform 315 hours of community service after Bulawayo Magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Maphosa conditionally suspended three months of the sentence.
The remaining nine months were suspended on condition he performs 315 hours of community service at Cowdray Park Primary School.
According to the prosecutor, Ms Hazel Siphiwe Sithole, Lizuba Nkosi Ngula from Nkulumane suburb is employed by Global Fund and attached to Mpilo Central Hospital as an HIV testing counsellor.
The court was told that in the first count, Ngula stole a Samsung Galaxy A05 phone from Lucy Machingauta (36) who resides in Queens Park in Bulawayo.
“On the 6th of November 2024 at around 10am, the complainant was admitted to Mpilo Hospital Post Natal and the accused person took her Samsung Galaxy A05 cellphone and went away. The complainant made a police report leading to the arrest of the accused person, the total value stolen was US$100 and was recovered.
“In the second count, on 6 November 2024 and at Mpilo Hospital Post Natal ward one, room five, Lizuba Nkosi Ngula unlawfully, intentionally and without permission or authority from Martha Luwe unlawfully took an Itel P36 cellphone knowing that Martha Luwe was entitled to it,” said Ms Sithole.
In the third count, Ngula, on 8 November, is said to have stolen an O King cellphone from Shamiso Ndlovu (19) from Ndlovu homestead, Chief Sogwala in Lower Gweru at Mpilo Hospital Post Natal Ward One, Room Five.
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