adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A ZIMBABWE Newspapers Bulawayo branch driver who stole more than $3,000 collected from agents will have to perform 421 hours of community service. Bulawayo provincial magistrate Sibongile-Msipa-Marondedze sentenced Silindelo Khumalo, 40, of Tshabalala to 24 months in prison but suspended six months on condition that he pays a restitution of $3,368 to Zimpapers by the end of May through the Clerk of Court in Bulawayo.
A further 12 months were suspended on condition that Khumalo completes 421 hours of community service at Nkulumane High School starting on January, 26.
The remaining six months were suspended on condition that Khumalo does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Msipa-Marondedze said Khumalo must complete the community service within 12 weeks after the commencement date.
She said in arriving at the sentence, the court took into consideration that he was a first offender and if sent to prison he could come out a hardened criminal.
“In the circumstances community service will do justice to your crime,” she said.
Khumalo pleaded guilty to stealing the money from the company’s agents over a period ranging from August 6, to December 28, last year.
Prosecuting, Charles Danda told the court that during that time, Khumalo was assigned to collect cash on behalf of his employer, Zimpapers from agents in Beitbridge, Victoria Falls and Plumtree.
“He collected a total of $4,789 and only remitted $1,721,” said Danda.
The court heard that Khumalo stole a total of $3,368 and nothing was recovered.
In mitigation, Khumalo said he did not steal the whole amount.
He said $1,788 got lost and he used the remaining $1,580 to buy car parts for his vehicle and pay school fees for his children.
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