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Eliah Rodgers Magomo, who had just been released from jail after serving 10 years, went on a housebreaking spree targeting Mornington suburb.
Magomo (32) pleaded guilty to 10 counts of unlawful entry.
Kadoma resident magistrate Mr Elisha Singano slapped Magomo with 18 years, but suspended three on condition that Magomo restituted the complainants of their property by end of this month.
Magomo was charged with his two accomplices Blessing Tawodzera (29) and Aston Swala (30).
Tawodzera and Swala denied the charges, forcing Mr Singano to arrange a separate trial for them starting today.
In passing sentence, Mr Singano said removing Magomo from society for a lengthy period would meet the justice of the case.
“We are not dealing with a first offender, but a seasoned housebreaker whose criminal record dates back to 1997,” said Mr Singano.
“The court should enforce a custodial sentence so that you learn that crime does not pay.”
Magomo pleaded with the court for a non-custodial sentence, saying he was a breadwinner in the family who wants to turn on a new leaf of a crime-free life.
He implored the court to also impose a fine on him so that he could get a chance to repent.
Prosecutor Clever Chikandiwa told the court that Magomo, Tawodzera and Swala were all from Harare.
Online Reporter