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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
WHILE many people think a police camp is the safest place, a daring trio displayed a level of foolish bravado when it broke into a fowl run at Ross Camp Police Station and stole 33 layer chickens worth $2 310 belonging to a police officer.
The three were later arrested and have since appeared in court for the offence.
Siphilisiwe Francisco (35) who allegedly lives in the camp, Isabel Nyoni (23) and a 15-year-old male juvenile were not asked to plead to a charge of stock theft when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nomasiko Ndlovu last week on Friday, before being remanded out of custody to 9 January 2020.
According to the State’s case, sometime during the night on 16 December this year, Francisco, Nyoni and the juvenile broke into Ms Ntongenhle Mudenda’s fowl run at Ross Camp and stole 33 Hyline Layer Chickens.
It was further stated in court that the trio managed to get away without being noticed.
The trio then allegedly went on to stash the chickens in Francisco’s house at the camp, where she is neighbours with Ms Mudenda.
On the same day at around 6am, Mudenda then discovered that some of her chickens had been stolen, leading to her reporting the matter at Mzilikazi Police Station.
Police officers from that station made investigations which led to the arrest of the trio.
It was stated that nothing was recovered.
Meanwhile, a mine worker in Kensington suburb also appeared in court for theft. He allegedly stole an assortment of meat packs from his employer worth R5 280, return pump worth R3 800 and hammer mills worth R900. The total value of the stolen items added up to ZAR9 980.
Nqobani Hlabangana (19) appeared in court recently and was ordered to reimburse the complainant Mr Lovemore Mutungura, before being sentenced to perform community service.
According to the State, Hlabangana broke into Mr Mutungura’s house and stole an assortment of meat and dairy products that were stored in the deep freezer. Hlabangana is then reported to have gone on to dismantle hammer mills at Mr Mutungura’s plot in Kensington suburb, before stealing a pump.
Hlabangana was arrested following a tip-off; while he was a board a Nkayi bound bus.
@peterkmatika
Online Reporter