Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
IT was a case of sneakers versus boots, but this time the boots won. A cellphone thief’s desperate dash for freedom in Bulawayo turned into an unexpected fitness test that showed just how important it is for cops to keep fit.
Brighton Msebele (28) thought he had pulled off the perfect crime when he snatched a Samsung Galaxy S24 from Brighton Dube after blinding him with a mystery liquid. But his victory was short-lived. Dube’s screams pierced the city air, drawing passersby who quickly pounced and handed the thief to police officers on patrol.
Like a Netflix series, it was just the start of mega drama as an unexpected twist suddenly erupted. As Constable Ngwenya escorted Msebele to Tshabalala Police Station, handcuffs and all, the thief suddenly bolted. For many, that would have been game over. But Ngwenya turned it into a high-octane chase that could rival a fitness boot camp.
Sprinting, dodging, and lunging, the officer managed to bring him down before he vanished into the city maze.
In court, Msebele denied both theft and escaping lawful custody, but Bulawayo magistrate Itai Kagwere convicted him on both counts. For theft, he got 14 months, with eight months suspended provided he behaves and finishes 410 hours of community service. For escaping, he received 16 months, but all were suspended on conditions, including 350 more hours of service.
In the end, Msebele dodged prison, but he couldn’t dodge justice.
Constable Ngwenya admitted in his victim impact statement that the chase nearly broke him. “If the worst had happened and he outpaced me, I was going to lose my job. My family and dependents were going to face hardship,” he told the court.
The case left onlookers with a lesson. While criminals think quick feet will save them, it is fitness, discipline and stamina that save the day. Cops who keep their bodies sharp are not only protecting their careers but also keeping the community safe.
