Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
A 43-YEAR-OLD man who started stealing while he was in Grade 3 and went on to commit a spree of unlawful entry and theft in 26 homes has been jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to 12 counts.
Thulani Jere (43) from Bulawayo’s Pumula East suburb appeared yesterday before Bulawayo Senior Regional Magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, for sentencing on 12 counts of unlawful entry committed in aggravating circumstances.
The magistrate sentenced him to 11 years in prison and suspended two years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years. Jere will effectively serve nine years behind bars.
In passing sentence, Mr Dzira said Jere committed the offences in aggravating circumstances as he broke into complainants’ premises, smashed windows and stole property.
Jere told the court that he started stealing while he was in Grade 3 and continued until now.
“He is not a first-time offender as he started stealing when he was nine years old in Grade 3 and continued until now. This shows that he cannot reform. It shows that he has chosen crime as a career path,” said Mr Dzira.
The magistrate said the crimes were premeditated as Jere committed them between 9PM and midnight.
“He is a daring criminal and dangerous to society. At one of the lodges he entered while guests were sleeping and stole their items. At a certain house he broke in twice, attacked the occupants and stole their property,” said Mr Dzira.
The court heard that Jere stole property worth US$16 640, R11 800 and P3 500, and nothing was recovered.
“The offender benefited from the crime while the complainants are facing financial challenges,” said Mr Dzira.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Hazel Ncube said Jere planned the execution of the offences and used weapons to break into houses.
“He is a danger to society. He committed serious crimes and used violence to break into premises. He plunged complainants into emotional and psychological trauma.
“He threatened security as he committed a spree of robbery from June 2024 until last month. The pattern of behaviour indicates deliberate and conscious decision to commit the offences,” said Ms Ncube.
Jere will be back in court on 8 May for the commencement of trial on 14 counts to which he pleaded not guilty.
Ms Ncube told the court that Jere was apprehended following a tip-off that led detectives from Bulawayo Homicide to end a spree of unlawful entry and theft in suburbs including Hillside, Famona, Ilanda, Ascot and surrounding areas.
“Jere was facing 26 counts of unlawful entry into premises and theft committed in aggravating circumstances. He teamed up with his accomplice, Xolani Moyo, who is yet to be arrested. The suspect and his accomplice primarily targeted residential properties, lodges and guest houses.
“The suspect’s breaking spree, which began in July 2024, came to a halt on 24 April 2026 after detectives from Bulawayo Homicide acted on information linking him to multiple cases,” said Ms Ncube.
On 6 July 2024, he allegedly broke into a house, ransacked it and stole US$4 000. In another incident on 15 August 2024, he reportedly made off with US$1 600 from a separate complainant.
“On 2 December 2024, the suspect forced entry into an apartment and stole a satchel containing US$7 224 and R3 000. In a separate case at a local lodge, Jere broke into a room occupied by a sleeping guest and stole a wallet containing US$1 480 and a cellphone,” said Ms Ncube.
She added that on 21 January 2025, the suspect broke into another apartment and stole US$2 000, R3 000 and personal documents.
Following his arrest, detectives recovered several tools believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes, including a drilling machine, a grinder and a lithium battery, among other items.
Bongani Ndlovu