adminLuthando Mapepa
STEALING groceries at OK Zimbabwe Supermarket worth $23 landed a 21-year-old Chipinge woman in trouble.
Tatenda Bingepinge (21) of Mukono Village under Chief Mutambara appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo facing shoplifting charges.
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence.
Representing the State, Mr Witness Nyamundaya said on October 10 at around 3pm, Bingepinge entered OK Supermarket and stole 2 litres of cooking oil, 500ml mineral water, 350ml and 12 x175g Protex soap from the shelves and stashed them in her purse and walked towards the till, but did not pay.
She was arrested outside the supermarket by a security guard, Stern Makweche, after being searched and all the groceries were recovered.
She pleaded with the courts for a second chance in mitigation.
She told the court that poverty had forced her to commit the offence.
“Your Worship, please give me a second chance because poverty led me to commit this offence. I am not employed and a widow with two minor children to fend for. I sometimes work as a vendor and earn $10 per month which does not meet my needs. Your Worship, I wanted to sell the groceries and raise money for my children’s food as well as bus fare for my trip back home,” she said.
Online Reporter