Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 26-year-old Bulawayo man has appeared in court for using a fake receipt to steal 12x50kg bags of flour and 13 cases of 12x440ml of soft drinks in separate occasions, at a local wholesale shop without being noticed.
Crispen Sauti from Nketa 8 suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga, on Monday, facing theft charges.
He pleaded guilty to the charges and was remanded out of custody to today for sentencing.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe, told the court that the crimes occurred on July 15 and 22, 2025 at Metro Peech Cash and Carry Wholesale, Khami Road, Bulawayo.
The accused is employed by Metro Peech and the complainant is Metro Peech Company, represented by Mr Shephered Machanja (36).
On July 15, 2025, Sauti used a fake receipt pretending to purchase 6×50kg bags of flour from the wholesale shop and went unnoticed.
When Sauti saw that he had not been caught the first time, he repeated the act on July 22, 2025, where he took away 13 cases of 12x440ml soft drinks and another 6x50kg bags of flour from the shop and went unnoticed.
Investigations were carried out, leading to the arrest of Sauti, who was on one occasion captured by CCTV cameras.
When asked by magistrate on why he committed the offence, he said he did it to sell the items in order to raise money to assist his wife, who was expecting and needed maternity care.
The value of the stolen goods is US$506,20 and nothing was recovered.
derick.khumalo