Female burglar hits 11 more houses

THE female jailbird who was recently slapped with a 12-year jail term by a Mutare court after stealing goods worth more than $10 000 from 29 households was back in the dock facing 11 more unlawful entry into premises charges.

Emily Gwembe (34) pleaded guilty to all 11 counts and was remanded to today (Friday) for sentencing. She appeared before Mutare magistrate, Miss Perseverance Makala last Thursday.

Prosecuting was Mr Fletcher Karombe.

Gwembe admitted to using an iron bar to break and enter into most of the 11 houses in the period between December 2016 and February 2017.

She broke into Sakubva, Dangamvura, Hobhouse and Chikanga houses.

She was being charged with contravening Section 131 (1) as read with Section 131 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

As soon as she got out of prison last year through the Presidential Amnesty, Gwembe got back to her old ways.

She duplicated keys to people's houses and stole property in broad daylight.

Using the same modus operandi she pounced on many houses.

Gwembe, who was holding her baby in court, pleaded for forgiveness, saying she continued with her old habit in order to fend for her family.

When asked how she executed the break-ins, Gwembe, said she would take time to observe her victim's lifestyles and later steal their keys which she duplicated. With no-one at home, she pounced and stole property.

Gwembe who committed most of her crimes while pregnant appeared in court with a two-week old baby.

The presiding magistrate then, Mr Lazarus Murendo, said Gwembe deserved nothing else, but a custodial sentence as she had proved to be an unrepentant habitual criminal who committed a series of offences soon after being released from prison last year.

"The offences you committed are of a serious nature and you cannot be forgiven that easily. You pounced on unsuspecting residents and stole their valuables. The only option is a custodial sentence as you still need to reform from your wayward ways. Your behaviour is not expected of a woman and therefore the need to warn other young ladies out there who might be seeing you as a role model," said Mr Murendo.