adminFaith Mabuto Midlands Reporter
A MIDLANDS State University (MSU) student based at the institution’s Zvishavane campus has been sentenced to two years in jail for stealing goods and cash amounting to $1,440 belonging to three fellow students. Nkosinomusa Ndlovu, 22, a Politics and Public Management student who resides at C2 Heights in Zvishavane, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of unlawful entry.
Ndlovu committed the crime on October 5 while in the company of another student, Mthobeki Ncube, who is on the run. Magistrate Story Rushambwa slapped Ndlovu with a two-year sentence for unlawfully entering a fellow student’s room, stealing $30, laptops and other goods, bringing the total value to $1,440.
Ndlovu will serve one year and a month in jail after 11 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes his three victims $1,440. In passing sentence, Rushambwa said Ndlovu committed immoral acts and violated his friends’ trust. “You stole from people who trusted you and respected you. You should be focusing on school not stealing and you deserve to be punished,” said magistrate Rushambwa.
“For count one and two you’re sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which five months are suspended on condition you restitute the complainant $340. For count three and four you’re sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which six months are suspended on condition you restitute the complainants $550 each.”
Prosecuting, Monica Mungwena told the court that on October 5 this year at around 8.40AM, Ndlovu and his accomplice Mthobeki Ncube, who is still at large, stole a key belonging to another student, Andile Moyo, who is also their friend. They unlawfully entered his house and stole money, laptops and other goods belonging to Moyo and two other roommates.
“Ndlovu and Ncube took Moyo’s key which was hidden under a board beside the door and unlocked his door. They took $30 which was in a wallet hidden under the pillow, white tennis shoes, a black satchel and a black Lenovo laptop and went away,” said Mungwena. The prosecutor said that the duo also took a black HP laptop which belonged to Moyo’s roommate, William Banda.
They also stole Mthabisi Ncube’s black HP laptop which was inside the house. Mungwena said when Moyo, Ncube and Banda came back to their house, they were informed that Ndlovu and Ncube had entered their room during their absence.
They discovered that their money and other belongings were missing and reported the matter to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
Online Reporter