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Florence Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
AN employee at a hardware shop in Victoria Falls teamed up with two brothers to grind open a safe at his workplace and stole about $8 800.
Benson Bhasopo (32) of 1703 Chinotimba tipped the Siyekaya brothers — Shepherd (39) and Ronald (33) — that there was $8 884 in a money safe.
They used duplicate keys to enter the shop.
A security guard, Mr Tapiwa Machingauta, who had abandoned the premises to go for a beer drink however foiled the robbery when he arrived in time to stop the trio.
The trio was hauled before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa to answer to charges of unlawful entry and theft.
They all pleaded guilty saying they intended to steal the money.
Ms Maphosa sentenced each of them to 24 months in jail before suspending six months on each of the sentences on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecuting, Mr Listen Nare said there was no sign of forced entry at the shop, showing that Bhasopo used a set of spare keys.
“Benson Bhasopo is employed by Tile and Carpet as a general hand while the other two accused are not employed.
“On December 14, Bhasopo took some shop keys and gave them to Shepherd Siyekaya to make a duplicate set,” said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor said Bhasopo stood guard while his two accomplices entered the shop and started grinding the money safe.
Bhasopo fled, leaving the Siyekaya brothers in the shop when he spotted Mr Machingauta approaching. The two were apprehended and they implicated Bhasopo.
The key and grinder were recovered.
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