Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A BULAWAYO man who borrowed a cellphone to take pictures and forgot the small matter of returning it, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for theft.
Mthulisi Zikhali (30) of Nkulumane 10 appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube, where he was convicted of theft.
The court heard that on the night of June 14, at around 9pm, Francis Tizora (27) was at Runrich Shopping Centre when Zikhali approached him with what sounded like an innocent request.
According to prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu, Zikhali allegedly asked to borrow Tizora’s Itel A50 cellphone so he could take some pictures.
Trusting the request, Tizora handed over the gadget.
Instead of striking poses and snapping memories, Zikhali streaked off into the darkness with the phone and never came back.
Tucked inside the back cover of the phone was also US$45 in cash.
By the time the dust settled, both the phone and the cash had vanished.
The total value of the stolen property was US$145.
Sadly for the complainant, no selfies, no group photos and certainly no cellphone were ever recovered.
Ncube sentenced Zikhali to 12 months in prison. Three months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. Another three months were suspended on condition that he pays back US$145 before July 17.
That leaves him with an effective six-month stay behind bars
