Chronicle Editor
Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
A 31-year-old woman from Paddonhurst suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to nine months in prison for stealing R4,000 from her brother.
Nothabo Ndlovu who stayed with his brother took advantage of his absence and hired a locksmith to break open the safe before stealing the money and some crucial documents.
Ndlovu, who had been in custody, heaved a sigh of relief after Bulawayo magistrate Mr Abednico Ndebele suspended four months on condition that she restitutes the money stolen from her brother, Mr Sifanele Dlamini by the end of March.
Mr Ndebele further suspended another five months for three years on condition that she does not commit a crime of a similar nature within that period.
In passing the sentence Mr Ndebele took into consideration that Ndlovu is a first-time offender who pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time.
He however noted that the victim lost a lot of money.
“First-time offenders are rewarded by leniency,” he said.
In mitigation, Ndlovu submitted that she is a single mother of one who stole the money out of desperation to cater for her son’s financial needs.
Prosecutor, Ms Nkanyezi Xaba, said on 28 January this year, Mr Dlamini left for Harare where he works.
“When he came back he discovered the theft and reported the case to the police leading to the accused’s arrest,” said Ms Xaba.
Dlamini just recovered the documents and as such was prejudiced of 4 000 rand.
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