adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man has been slapped with a 15-year jail term for breaking into two houses and stealing electronic gadgets worth more than $2,500.
Police arrested Philani Bhebhe, 39, at his rural home in Nkayi where he was hiding. A court heard how police tracked Bhebhe down after arresting a man who had bought some of the stolen goods.
Bhebhe and a friend only identified as Gilitshani, who is on the run, broke into the houses and stole laptops, cellphones and food.
Regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere convicted Bhebhe of robbery and unlawful entry.
“The rate of crime in the city keeps rising and it’s the duty of the court to send clear messages to like-minded would-be offenders. Accused is therefore sentenced to 15 effective years for the offences,” said magistrate Mberewere.
Prosecuting, Trust Muduma told the court that Bhebhe and Gilitshani broke into Tafadzwa Makoni’s house in Selbourne Park on January 22 at around 2AM.
“While inside the house, they stole a Samsung Note 5, a Samsung Note 4, two other cellphones, an HP laptop, an external hard drive, cellphone chargers and a power bank that were in the sitting room. They proceeded to the kitchen and stole chickens, beef and three bottles of wine and went away,” said Muduma.
He said Bhebhe and his friend also broke into a house in Riverside and stole a laptop and a black satchel.
“When police arrested Bhebhe in Nkayi, they recovered the stolen laptop and the bag in his possession.”
derick.khumalo