adminPlaxcedes Hove Court Reporter
A TOUT who stole a mobile phone at a funeral in Mpopoma and sold it has been slapped with a nine-month prison sentence. Frank Tshuma, 20, of Iminyela was hauled before the courts facing a theft charge after he went to a funeral in Mpopoma and stole a Sony Ericsson phone.
The gadget was valued at $45 and was not recovered.
Yesterday, Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso slapped the thief with a nine month jail term. Three months are effective, while the other six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour and that he restitutes the owner of the phone, Mbekezeli Nleya $45.
Prosecuting, Mitchelle Chiboiwa said Tshuma intentionally took Nleya’s phone intending to deprive him of his property.
“Tshuma stole Nleya’s phone at a funeral and sold it without the owner’s consent. While others were mourning he was busy stealing,” he said.
The court heard that on a date unknown but in September, Nleya requested Tshuma to take his Sony Ericsson phone to recharge the battery, but he went for good. He later sold it and it was not recovered.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Tshuma’s arrest.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and said he was ashamed to have committed the crime.
“I admit I stole at a funeral but I do not know what had come over me. I am willing to restitute Nleya his phone though I had sold it. I am really ashamed of myself, please have mercy on me,” he said.
Magistrate Chimiso was baffled by Tshuma’s conduct.
“How can you steal at a funeral whilst others are mourning? You do not even show any remorse over what you did,” said Chimiso.
Bongani Ndlovu