adminMbongeni Msimanga Sunday News Correspondent
A HWANGE serial haulage truck battery thief who terrorised motorists in the mining town including former Zanu-PF Matabeleland North vice-chairperson Cde Reeds Dube, has been jailed for an effective 24 months for his escapades which spanned over three months. Bulayani Moyo (23) pleaded guilty to theft in contravention of Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification) and Reform Act when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Portia Mhlanga.
He was sentenced to 36 months in prison of which 12 months were conditionally suspended for five years.
In sentencing him, Ms Mhlanga spared Moyo 12 months as it was considered that he was a first offender and pleaded guilty to his crime.
“In coming up with the sentence, the court considered that the accused is a first offender who pleaded guilty and did not waste the courts’ time,” said Ms Mhlanga.
Moyo would target haulage trucks at different ports.
Prosecuting, Mr Tomupei Mbiza told the court that on seven different occasions, Moyo stole batteries from parked trucks in the mining town.
On the first occasion in April this year, Moyo went to a parked truck belonging to Celestine Chachota and stole two batteries before disappearing into the darkness.
On another day he entered into Coronation Motors where he found an ERF truck parked. He stealthily went to the truck and stole two batteries belonging to Emmanuel John Karassel and went away unnoticed.
However, after a successful escapade at Coronation Motors, Moyo returned and stole two other batteries from another parked truck belonging to Cde Dube.
Using the same modus operandi, Moyo stole from two other places before police investigations knocked at his door, leading to his arrest and recovery of some of the stolen property.
Online Reporter