News / National
Security guard jailed for stealing
09 Feb 2013 at 05:24hrs | Views
A SECURITY guard, who was in the habit of breaking into apartments at a flat he was guarding in Westgate, Harare will spend a month in prison.
Tendai Sanyamandwe (33) hatched a plan and obtained a master key which he used to break into the apartments to steal food and cash while the residents would be away at work.
A trap was set and another guard was left in one of the apartments.
The unsuspecting Sanyamandwe unlocked the apartment as usual using the master key before he was apprehended while sitting on a bed watching television.
Magistrate Ms Renika Dzikiti convicted Sanyamandwe of unlawful entry and theft after a fully contested trial.
He slapped him with a six-month term of imprisonment of which three months were suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
Further two months were suspended on condition Sanyamandwe restitutes US$800 to the complainants.
This left Sanyamandwe with an effective one-month jail term.
Prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru told the court that during the period extending from January last year to January this year, the residents would lock their doors going to their workplaces. Sanyamandwe hatched a plan to steal from them and obtained a master key.
The residents on their return from work would notice that some of their things like food or cash would be missing but failed to point the culprit.
On January 31, the residents teamed up and set a trap.
They ordered one of the guards Admire Kazingizi to remain inside Perpetual Nyadenga's apartment while she locked her doors and left for work. While carrying his "usual duties" Sanyamandwe went to Nyadenga's apartment and used the master key to gain entry.
He went straight to the bedroom, switched on the television and sat on the bed.
Kazingizi then came out from his hiding and apprehended Sanyamandwe.
Tendai Sanyamandwe (33) hatched a plan and obtained a master key which he used to break into the apartments to steal food and cash while the residents would be away at work.
A trap was set and another guard was left in one of the apartments.
The unsuspecting Sanyamandwe unlocked the apartment as usual using the master key before he was apprehended while sitting on a bed watching television.
Magistrate Ms Renika Dzikiti convicted Sanyamandwe of unlawful entry and theft after a fully contested trial.
He slapped him with a six-month term of imprisonment of which three months were suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
Further two months were suspended on condition Sanyamandwe restitutes US$800 to the complainants.
This left Sanyamandwe with an effective one-month jail term.
Prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru told the court that during the period extending from January last year to January this year, the residents would lock their doors going to their workplaces. Sanyamandwe hatched a plan to steal from them and obtained a master key.
The residents on their return from work would notice that some of their things like food or cash would be missing but failed to point the culprit.
On January 31, the residents teamed up and set a trap.
They ordered one of the guards Admire Kazingizi to remain inside Perpetual Nyadenga's apartment while she locked her doors and left for work. While carrying his "usual duties" Sanyamandwe went to Nyadenga's apartment and used the master key to gain entry.
He went straight to the bedroom, switched on the television and sat on the bed.
Kazingizi then came out from his hiding and apprehended Sanyamandwe.
Source - TH
