Sticky-fingered student in hot soup

Weekender Correspondent

A STUDENT at one of the universities who stole a chainsaw and US$30 from his neighbour was recently jailed six months.

Nigel Kutodza, a student at Midlands State University, was recently convicted by Mutasa magistrate, Mr Artwel Sanyatwe for stealing a Husqvarna chainsaw and money from his neighbour at Nyakupinga Village, Nyanga.

Three months of the sentence were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years, while another three months were suspended on condition that he pays a fine of $5 000.

Appearing for the State, Mr Taonga Masaire, said on December 16, Kutodza stole the chainsaw and US$30 from his neighbour, Tinashe Maocha.

Maocha discovered the theft and reported the matter to the police leading to Kutodza’s arrest. All the stolen items were recovered.

Asked why he stole the chainsaw, Kutodza said: “Your Worship, I took the machine and wanted to sell it so that I could raise money for my university fees.”

However, Mr Sanyatwe said enrolling at a university was not a licence to steal from neighbours.