News / National
Bank queue thieves sent to jail
30 Jun 2017 at 06:13hrs | Views
TWO Bulawayo men - one of them a habitual thief - who stole from a man who was asleep in a bank queue near Steward Bank recently have each been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Takesure Ncube (23) and Mandlenkosi Ndlovu (26) both from Selbourne Park stole two cellphones, a satchel and $47 from Mr Fedrick Ngwenya who was asleep near the bank which is located at corner 11th Avenue and Fife Street last week on Saturday.
Ngwenya, the court heard, snored away as the duo took his bag and cellphones.
He only woke up when the two were pulling off his shoes.
Ncube and Ndlovu pleaded guilty to theft before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya.
Ncube told the magistrate that he wanted to raise money to fend for his family.
Ndlovu said: "Your worship, l admit to the charge that is levelled against me. We wanted to sell his property and get money. I am not employed and l was stranded."
Tashaya said Ndlovu was not new to the courts as he once convicted him of stealing $59 from a woman.
The magistrate said he will sentence the duo separately because Ndlovu has failed to learn from his previous punishment.
"In sentencing you, I considered what you said during mitigation. Ncube you are a first offender, therefore you deserve a second chance. You are sentenced to 12 months in prison but two months is suspended for five years on condition that you do not commit a similar crime," said Tashaya.
"A further one month is suspended on condition that you pay $69 to the complainant through the clerk of court. The remaining nine months is converted to 315 hours of community service. Ncube, you will perform community service at Khumalo Police Station."
Tashaya sentenced Ndlovu to 12 months in prison but suspended two months on condition that he will not commit a similar crime for five years.
He further suspended a month on condition that Ndlovu will restitute the complainant's $69.
"You will serve an effective nine months in prison because it seems like you didn't learn anything from your previous conviction," said Tashaya.
Prosecuting, Nkathazo Dlodlo said on June 17 at around 5AM, Ngwenya was sleeping near Steward Bank in a queue waiting to withdraw money.
Dlodlo said Ngwenya was awakened by Ndlovu who was trying to steal his shoes.
"The complainant discovered that the accused persons had already stolen his black satchel, two Samsung cellphones and $47 cash. The complainant jumped and chased after them. The complainant managed to catch Ndlovu near Club 263 leading to his arrest," he said.
"Investigations with assistance from Ndlovu led to the arrest of Ncube."
Takesure Ncube (23) and Mandlenkosi Ndlovu (26) both from Selbourne Park stole two cellphones, a satchel and $47 from Mr Fedrick Ngwenya who was asleep near the bank which is located at corner 11th Avenue and Fife Street last week on Saturday.
Ngwenya, the court heard, snored away as the duo took his bag and cellphones.
He only woke up when the two were pulling off his shoes.
Ncube and Ndlovu pleaded guilty to theft before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya.
Ncube told the magistrate that he wanted to raise money to fend for his family.
Ndlovu said: "Your worship, l admit to the charge that is levelled against me. We wanted to sell his property and get money. I am not employed and l was stranded."
Tashaya said Ndlovu was not new to the courts as he once convicted him of stealing $59 from a woman.
The magistrate said he will sentence the duo separately because Ndlovu has failed to learn from his previous punishment.
"In sentencing you, I considered what you said during mitigation. Ncube you are a first offender, therefore you deserve a second chance. You are sentenced to 12 months in prison but two months is suspended for five years on condition that you do not commit a similar crime," said Tashaya.
"A further one month is suspended on condition that you pay $69 to the complainant through the clerk of court. The remaining nine months is converted to 315 hours of community service. Ncube, you will perform community service at Khumalo Police Station."
Tashaya sentenced Ndlovu to 12 months in prison but suspended two months on condition that he will not commit a similar crime for five years.
He further suspended a month on condition that Ndlovu will restitute the complainant's $69.
"You will serve an effective nine months in prison because it seems like you didn't learn anything from your previous conviction," said Tashaya.
Prosecuting, Nkathazo Dlodlo said on June 17 at around 5AM, Ngwenya was sleeping near Steward Bank in a queue waiting to withdraw money.
Dlodlo said Ngwenya was awakened by Ndlovu who was trying to steal his shoes.
"The complainant discovered that the accused persons had already stolen his black satchel, two Samsung cellphones and $47 cash. The complainant jumped and chased after them. The complainant managed to catch Ndlovu near Club 263 leading to his arrest," he said.
"Investigations with assistance from Ndlovu led to the arrest of Ncube."
Source - hmetro
