News / National
Cop jailed for stealing a laptop, USD$200
07 Sep 2012 at 10:12hrs | Views
A constable stationed at Mkoba Police Station in Gweru has been sentenced to 16 months in prison by a Gweru magistrate for sneaking into a colleague's room within the police quarters and stealing a laptop and $200.
Tendai Masango (24), pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry and theft charges when he appeared before Gweru magistrate Mrs Mildred Matuvi.
He was, however, found guilty and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Masango will serve an effective 10 months with hard labour after six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, Mrs Matuvi said Masango deserved to serve a jail term, as he was a policeman who should lead by example.
For the State, Mr Stancelous Nyemba told the court that on 28 August and at about 7.30 pm, Masango went to his workmate, Constable Harris Taurai Mtemasango's room while he was away.
The two reside at Mkoba Police Station staff quarters. Mr Nyemba said while inside, Masango took Const Mtemasango's laptop and the laptop bag which had $200.
He said police acting on a tip-off later went and conducted a search in Masango's room leading to the recovery of the stolen laptop.
Mr Nyemba said police who were conducting investigations found the laptop hidden in a bucket within Masango's room.
The combined value of the stolen property is $650 and only part of it was recovered.
Tendai Masango (24), pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry and theft charges when he appeared before Gweru magistrate Mrs Mildred Matuvi.
He was, however, found guilty and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Masango will serve an effective 10 months with hard labour after six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, Mrs Matuvi said Masango deserved to serve a jail term, as he was a policeman who should lead by example.
The two reside at Mkoba Police Station staff quarters. Mr Nyemba said while inside, Masango took Const Mtemasango's laptop and the laptop bag which had $200.
He said police acting on a tip-off later went and conducted a search in Masango's room leading to the recovery of the stolen laptop.
Mr Nyemba said police who were conducting investigations found the laptop hidden in a bucket within Masango's room.
The combined value of the stolen property is $650 and only part of it was recovered.
Source - TC
