Six years imprisonment for housebreaking duo

TWO friends from Pumula South suburb have been each been slapped with a six year prison sentence after they were convicted of 14 counts of theft from cars and houses in the suburb.

Robson Sibanda and Prosper Moyo pleaded guilty to theft before Bulawayo Western Commonage Magistrate, Mrs Leorna Khumalo.

They were charged with eight counts of breaking into motor vehicles and six of house breaking.

The value of the stolen property – wheels, car radios, spanners, screw drivers and tyres – is US$2 610 and US$480 was recovered.

One year of each sentence was suspended on condition that they pay restitution of US$595 each.

In passing the sentence, Mrs Khumalo, said the court took into consideration that the accused offenders pleaded guilty thus did not waste the courts time.

“These were planned offences as the accused took advantage of the fact that the home owners were asleep to break into houses owned by different complainants. Some of them are complainants were women who cannot defend themselves.

“Cases of theft and unlawful entry are now prevalent so there is a need send a clear message of deterrence to would-be offenders that the law does not tolerate such criminal activities. A jail term without the option of a fine will meet the justice of this case,” ruled Mrs Khumalo

According to the State’s case, as presented by the prosecutor Ms Marriam Chisiiwa, the crimes were committed from February to July 2024.

“The break-ins occurred in the complainants’ homes where the accused used various methods to gain entry into the houses and motor vehicles”