Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
A 57-year-old Makokoba man has shamed himself by committing a crime so small it could fit in a matchbox.
Rueben Sithole, old enough to be giving life advice at kombi ranks, instead chose to launch a daring mission for 1kg of metal nails worth a grand total of US$3.
Yes, US$3.
The pension-age bandit tried to sneak the nails out of N Richards in Thorngrove by hiding them under his armpit, proving that age may bring wisdom but not always good judgement.
Prosecutor Veronica Manyuka told the court that on 6 January at around 3PM, Sithole walked into the shop like a respectable citizen, then suddenly turned into a hardware hustler.
Instead of heading for the tills, he slid the nails under his arm and marched for the exit like a man late for supper.
His senior citizen swagger fooled no one.
Security guard Khulisani Mhlanga stopped him at the door and searched him.
Out popped the nails.
Shoppers stared. Staff gasped. Sithole froze.
The court noted that at his age, he should be worrying about blood pressure and retirement plans, not running a US$3 nail syndicate.
Magistrate Challenge Mahembe was not amused.
He nailed Sithole with seven months in jail, with three months suspended, leaving the hardware hustler to serve four months behind bars.
derick.khumalo