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A BULAWAYO teenager accused of stealing goods worth US$1 300 was discharged yesterday at the close of the State’s case due to insufficient evidence.
Michael Madzora (17) was alleged to have committed the crime in May last year. However, Western Commonage magistrate Mr Mehluli Moyo acquitted him, citing inconsistencies in the testimonies of the complainant and witnesses.
“After listening to the testimonies by the complainant and other State witnesses, the court noted that there is a lack of evidence linking the accused to the offence. Accordingly, he is found not guilty and acquitted,” ruled the magistrate.
The prosecutor, Mrs Ellen Matenga, told the court that the incident occurred on 27 May last year, at Kelvin Shopping Centre in Bulawayo.
Mrs Nonjabulo Ndlovu, the complainant, testified that she had gone to Kelvin to have her car fixed and left her belongings in the vehicle. These included a laptop, a mobile phone, US$380, her identification card, and bank cards.
Michael, in his defence, claimed he was in South Africa on the day of the alleged crime and only returned on 31 May. He stated that he bought a phone from someone at Unity Village upon his return and later swapped it for another device.
“I was not in the country on 27 May. I was in South Africa and when I returned, I bought a phone from someone as I didn’t have one. After using it for a few days, I swapped it for another phone,” he said.
Michael told the court that he voluntarily led the police to the person who had the phone.
Mrs Ndlovu recovered her phone, identification card, and bank cards, which had been picked up along Khami Road by a good Samaritan.
“Someone called me and said they had found my particulars along Khami Road. I informed the officer handling my case, and he advised me to collect them,” she said.
Of the stolen goods, US$500 worth was recovered.
Online Reporter