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Victoria Falls Reporter
A 49-year-old man who broke into 20 schools in Lupane and Jotsholo stealing window handles and lashes said he left his rural home in Marondera to steal so he could raise money for his poverty stricken family.
Lazurus Sidukumeni, originally from Mkumba Village, under Chief Nenguo in Marondera, was recently convicted of 21 counts of unlawful entry and 21 of theft when he appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Aelene Munamati.
The magistrate sentenced Sidukumeni to eight years in jail for unlawful entry and a further five years in jail for theft.
On the total, two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour while a further one year was suspended on condition he restitutes the schools $1,979 by May 31, this year.
Sidukumeni will therefore serve an effective 10 years in jail. Munamati said Sidukumeni deserved a custodial sentence.
In mitigation, Sidukumeni said he stole in order to fend for his big family.
“I was working but the company suddenly closed. Soon after that my brother and his wife were killed in an accident.I am therefore taking care of my brother’s three children together with my five children.
“I cannot raise fees for my son who is at a college in Harare so I decided to come here and steal,” said Sidukumeni.
Prosecuting, Wilberforce Ngoshi said Sidukumeni committed the crimes between August 2012 and November last year when he was finally arrested.
He would break into classroom blocks at night and remove window handles and window lashes using a screw driver.
Some of the affected schools were Kwarayi Primary, Ngobane, Makhovula, Shabula, Gumede, Phumakanye, Jabatshaba, Masenyane, Bhangale, Kwesemvula, Gandagula, Malunku, Nono, Gobhi, Lupaka, Mzola 5, Siziphile, Mafa and Tshebetshebe.
Sidukumeni had established a base near Matshakayile Primary School where he was hiding his loot.
Online Reporter