Carpenter to serve two years for stealing building material

A Bulawayo man who was contracted by Bellevue Spar as a carpenter has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing building material worth $2 600.

Elia Shoko (35), of Number 104 Gladstone Road in Bellevue, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to 15 counts of theft when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Miss Marilyn Mutshina.

Shoko will however, serve an effective two years in prison after one year was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour and another year was suspended on condition he restitutes the complainant the sum of $2 300 which is the value of unrecovered property before 31 October this year.

Representing the State, Mr Dumisani Moyo proved that Shoko, who was contracted by Bellevue Spar, stole  building material, which included  ceiling nails, paint, varnish and sanding sealer.

He stole the goods under the pretext that he was using them on renovations at the complainant's newly opened Rohmart shop situated along Fort Street and 6th Avenue.

The court heard that the matter was discovered after 13 June and a report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Moyo.

Only materials worth $341 were recovered.