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Musawenkosi Moyo
RESIDENTS of Pumula suburb in Bulawayo heaved a sigh of relief after two thieves who had been terrorising them by breaking into their houses were sentenced to 68 months in prison.
Rabson Sibanda (35) and Prosper Moyo (29) appeared before magistrate Learnear Khumalo facing eight counts of theft and one count of unlawful entry.
They pleaded not guilty to all nine counts. After a full trial, they were found guilty of seven counts of theft and not guilty of one count of theft and one count of unlawful entry.
They were each sentenced to a total of 54 months in prison for seven counts of theft, of which 14 months were suspended on condition that they compensate the complainants.
They were also each sentenced to 24 months in prison for unlawful entry, of which four months were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offense for five years, and another two months were suspended on condition that they compensate the complainant an amount of US$175.
The court heard that sometime in February 2024, at a house in Pumula suburb Maxwell Jusa parked his car inside his yard and retired to bed.
The two then approached the car and stole two car radios, size 32 spanner, one size 12 spanner, one size 10 spanner, two screwdrivers, and an Itel phone.
The total value of the stolen property was US$320, and nothing was recovered.
It was also heard that on an unknown date but sometime in May 2024, in Pumula South suburb, Sibanda and Moyo went to
Petros Mlilo’s place and broke the external door of the house, gaining entry.
They went on to steal a variety of clothes, shoes, a Huawei and Itel cellphone, and blankets.
The total value of the stolen property was US$350 and nothing was recovered.
The court further heard that on an unknown date but sometime in June, the duo went to another house in Pumula East suburb and stole a push cart, Samsung cellphone, calculator, books, and a satchel.
The total value of the stolen property was US$380 and those worth US$200 were recovered.
After the first three crimes, the duo continued on a stealing spree and stole from six other households in Pumula Suburb.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to their arrest.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter