Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, [email protected]
A Bulawayo man (41) has been sentenced to four months in prison for stealing two road runner chickens worth US$21.
Bonisani Ngwenya of Old Pumula suburb was convicted of stock theft by Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.
He pleaded guilty to the offence and was initially sentenced to four months in prison of which three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining one month was further suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant US$21 before July 3.
When he was asked by the magistrate why he stole the complainant’s chickens, he replied that he had consumed both chickens.
Prosecutor, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the accused person and complainant are not related.
He said that on May 5, 2026, at around 4PM, the accused person arrived at the complainant’s place of residence, belonging to Sithembiso Ngwenya (57).
Upon arrival, the accused noticed that the complainant was not available and only her caretaker was around.
The court heard that the caretaker went to collect his cellphone from a neighbour’s house, leaving the accused person at the complainant’s house.
When the caretaker came back, he found that the accused person was no longer around and two road runner chickens were missing, said Mr Dzimbanhete.
The caretaker informed the complainant and made a police report.
On May 20, the accused person was arrested by members of the neighbourhood who surrendered him to the police station.
The total value stolen is US$21 and nothing was recovered, said Mr Dzimbanhete.
