adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A 19-year-old woman from Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb broke into three houses in her neighbourhood and stole a cellphone, money and airtime. Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate Maphios Willard Moyo heard how Samantha Margret Mpofu would between January 24 and 27 break into houses in Pumula South and Old Magwegwe, stealing from the occupants.
Prosecuting, Kingston Mkanganwi said on January 24 at about 3PM Mpofu broke into a house at Khami Maximum Prison quarters, proceeded to the bedroom, stole a cellphone and sneaked out unnoticed.
On January 27 at about 9AM, Samantha broke into another house in Old Magwegwe and stole some property.
Upon entry she found the complainant, Silindusuku Ngwenya’s eight year-old son alone and ordered him to give her a cellphone recharge card worth $3 and fled.
On the same day, Samantha broke the window and gained entry into another house where she found a jacket in the wardrobe, which she searched and found a wallet containing $2.
She was, however, caught in the act by the owner of the house who apprehended her as she was about to get out of the yard.
A report was made to the police leading to Mpofu’s arrest and subsequent recovery of the stolen property.
Samantha, who is not new to crimes of unlawful entry and theft, was convicted and sentenced to 33 months in jail of which 10 months were suspended for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit a similar crime.
She will serve an effective 23 months in jail.
Online Reporter