Teenager jailed 8 years for stealing, crashing two cars

A 19-year-old man from Tshabalala in Bulawayo has been sentenced to eight years and three months in prison after stealing two vehicles on separate occasions and crashing them while on his way to visit his girlfriend. Jurio Junior Nyathi appeared for sentencing on Thursday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing two counts of theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of driving without a valid driver’s licence.

The two counts of theft were treated as one for sentencing. Nyathi received 10 years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within five years. He was also sentenced to six months in prison for driving without a licence, with three months suspended on condition he does not repeat the offence within three years. In sentencing, Mr Ncube said although Nyathi was young, the seriousness of his conduct could not be ignored.

“The offence was premeditated and meticulously executed. He used an unknown object to start the cars and drove off during a church service. This is a serious offence and the boy needs to be rehabilitated so that he reforms,” said Mr Ncube.

In mitigation, Nyathi claimed he stole the cars to deliver a birthday present to his girlfriend.

“I stole the vehicles to transport a birthday present to my girlfriend as I wanted to surprise her on her special day. Unfortunately, I was involved in accidents on both occasions when I attempted to deliver the present. I plead with the court to forgive me. It has dawned on me that what I did was wrong.”

However, prosecutor Mr Sehliselo Khumalo argued that Nyathi’s actions showed deliberate planning.

“He is a youthful offender who started crime at the deep end. The victims suffered significant losses as a result of the accidents. He planned the offences and executed them with precision. This is why church members did not notice him driving off or hear the vehicles as he left. I pray for a custodial sentence so that he may reform in prison,” said Mr Khumalo. The court heard that on 18 January this year, Mr Moses Mataruse, a teacher, parked his light blue Honda Fit, registration AHC 5682, in the yard of a church in Tshabalala. He locked the vehicle and went inside for a service.

“The accused used an unknown object to open the door, started the vehicle and drove off. He headed to his girlfriend’s home and was involved in an accident. After the accident, Nyathi, who was driving without a licence, abandoned the vehicle by the roadside. The car was valued at approximately US$3 800,” said Mr Khumalo.

After the service, Mr Mataruse discovered the vehicle missing.

The following Sunday, shortly after 8am, Nyathi returned to the same church and used an unknown object to unlock another Honda Fit, this one belonging to Mr Khumbuzile Nyoni, a prison officer.

“He started the vehicle and drove towards Gwabalanda suburb to visit his girlfriend. He was again involved in an accident after the car veered off the road and crashed into a tree. He fled the scene,” Mr Khumalo told the court.

Police investigations led to Nyathi’s arrest, and he later confessed to stealing both vehicles from the church premises and crashing them.