Online Reporter
A 24-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb was yesterday dragged to court by armed police detectives, facing charges of theft from two city lodges.
Witness Sibanda, pleaded guilty to stealing kitchenware and linen worth US$480 from prominent businessman Mr Byron Rice’s Harris Lodges.
Sibanda committed the crime on Tuesday night, where he stole from two of Mr Rice’s lodges, one located in the CBD and the other in Ilanda suburb.
Sibanda did not waste the court’s time and pleaded guilty to both counts when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Eva Matura.
She remanded him to today for sentencing, after finding him guilty of the charges.
Prosecuting, Miss Nkanyezi Xaba said Sibanda stole a cup, plate, a solar system, bulbs, bed linen and towels before he was spotted and apprehended by security at one of the lodges through the assistance of the neighbourhood watch committee.
In his defence, Sibanda told the court that he stole the merchandise because he wanted to use it.
In mitigation, Sibanda said he was not married but had a 6-year-old child under his care.
“I am employed at Greenland Village 1 as a caretaker. I earn US$70 a month. I have no savings and only have a dollar in my pocket. I have no assets of value,” he said.
