Vusumuzi Dube
Charity Chikara, Sunday News Reporter
A Nkayi woman appeared in court last Friday facing allegations of stealing US$400 from a police officer who is also her sister-in-law.
Nokholo Mhlanga (25) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Busani Sibanda facing a charge of theft after she stole her sister-in-law’s money and fled to Nkayi where she resides with her husband and child.
The prosecutor, Ms Portia Mashazhu told the court Mhlanga was tasked with assisting in cleaning her sister-in-law’s house when she stole the money.
The sister in-law- Efficacy Wisdom Mhlanga- is a police officer based at Bulawayo’s Ross Camp.
“On 7 December 2022 at Ross Camp, Bulawayo, Nokholo Mhlanga unlawfully took property namely money amounting to US$400 from Efficacy Wisdom Mhlanga,” said Ms Mashazhu.
Only US$75 was recovered.
Mhlanga pleaded guilty to the charge stating that she stole the money so she could buy clothes for herself and her family.
“I wanted to buy clothes with the money. I have three donkeys back home, I intend to sell one and pay back my sister-in-law her money as soon as possible,” said Mhlanga.
For the offence, Mhlanga was sentenced to 12 months in prison of which three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour while another four were also suspended on condition she pays back the money.
The remaining five months were suspended on condition she performs 210 hours of community service at a local school in Nkayi.
Online Reporter