admin
Rodwell Nyoni (30), of 3832 Gwabalanda in Bulawayo committed the offence in the company of Bhekimpilo Ncube who is still at large.
Nyoni was sentenced to a combined 30 months in prison for the three unlawful entry counts, 16 for two counts of theft and four months for malicious damage to property.
Nyoni was convicted on his own plea of guilty by Lupane magistrate Mr Takudzva Gwazemba. He was facing three counts of unlawful entry, two of theft and one of malicious damage to property.
The magistrate said he considered that Nyoni had pleaded guilty to the charges and did not waste the court’s time.
However, he said Nyoni and Ncube were dangerous elements in the society as they planned to travel to Inyathi to commit the offences.
Nyoni and Ncube would use stones to break window panes of shops to gain entry and steal different kinds of property, which included cellphones and cash.
Nyoni and his accomplice used explosives to blow money safes.
On 4 August Nyoni and Ncube went to Joe’s Trading Shop at Queens Mine in Inyathi in the evening. They waited until the shops closed.
At about 4am, the two proceeded to the shop where Ncube used a stone to break a window pane and gained entry.
Nyoni remained outside where he was talking to the security guard to divert his attention.
Ncube used explosives to blow the money safe and stole $600 cash.
On another occasion the two proceeded to a cellphone shop in the same business centre where they cut hinges and removed padlocks on the front door to gain entry.
Nyoni remained outside to watch for people and Ncube stole six cellphones and cash.
He phoned Nyoni and the two left the premises unnoticed.
On 11 August, the pair went to Tshugulu Beerhall in Nkayi shop at about 1am where Nyoni remained under a tree while Ncube broke a window pane to gain entry.
A barman who was sleeping at the premises was awakened by the noise and chased Ncube whom he caught up with and struck with an axeon the head.
Ncube managed to escape but dropped a woollen hat and cellphone.
He joined Nyoni and the two boarded a bus to Bulawayo.
The barman recovered a bag with a tyre lever, AEL mine explosives and summons documents for Nyoni for a civil lawsuit he is facing.
Nyoni was arrested when a stolen cellphone was found in his room in Gwabalanda.
Mr Sanders Sibanda appeared for the State.
Online Reporter