News / National
Mutambara's former aide jailed
29 Aug 2014 at 07:34hrs | Views
Former deputy prime minister Professor Arthur Mutambara's bodyguard masqueraded as a Government employee while in possession of an air-gun tucked in a pistol holster.
Tulani Hlupo (34) was yesterday convicted by Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo of possessing articles for criminal use.
Mr Makomo said he was convinced the air-gun was being used for criminal offences.
Mr Makomo sentenced Hlupo to 12 months in prison before suspending three months for five years on condition of good behaviour.
He will serve an effective nine months.
In passing sentence, Mr Makomo said Hlupo showed no remorse and had started committing crime at the deep end.
"Although you are a first offender, you started committing criminal offences at the deep end.
"You did not show remorse and gave three conflicting versions of what transpired.
"The State was correct to say the air-gun was used for criminal offences. Your explanation that you bought the air-gun for your two-year-old child is misleading," he said.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri told the court that on August 20 this year, CID Homicide Harare detectives received a tip-off that Hlupo was moving around with a firearm.
Hlupo was also in possession of a Government identity card, which he was using to gain access to Government institutions posing as a member of the State security agency.
Two days later, Hlupo assaulted a person at his friend's home, whose address was given as No. 37 Nhanga Road, Chitungwiza, and was arrested by St Mary's police.
The court heard that Hlupo revealed that he was in possession of a BB air-gun and two pistol holsters, which he had hidden at Livemore Mavula's house on the day of his arrest.
Detectives recovered the Taurus BB air-gun from Mavula's house well secured in a pistol holster.
Hlupo led to the recovery of another pistol holster hidden in his Isuzu KB vehicle parked at Mavula's house.
Detectives searched Hlupo and found a Government employee card.
Hlupo failed to give a satisfactory answer and was arrested.
Tulani Hlupo (34) was yesterday convicted by Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo of possessing articles for criminal use.
Mr Makomo said he was convinced the air-gun was being used for criminal offences.
Mr Makomo sentenced Hlupo to 12 months in prison before suspending three months for five years on condition of good behaviour.
He will serve an effective nine months.
In passing sentence, Mr Makomo said Hlupo showed no remorse and had started committing crime at the deep end.
"Although you are a first offender, you started committing criminal offences at the deep end.
"You did not show remorse and gave three conflicting versions of what transpired.
"The State was correct to say the air-gun was used for criminal offences. Your explanation that you bought the air-gun for your two-year-old child is misleading," he said.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri told the court that on August 20 this year, CID Homicide Harare detectives received a tip-off that Hlupo was moving around with a firearm.
Hlupo was also in possession of a Government identity card, which he was using to gain access to Government institutions posing as a member of the State security agency.
Two days later, Hlupo assaulted a person at his friend's home, whose address was given as No. 37 Nhanga Road, Chitungwiza, and was arrested by St Mary's police.
The court heard that Hlupo revealed that he was in possession of a BB air-gun and two pistol holsters, which he had hidden at Livemore Mavula's house on the day of his arrest.
Detectives recovered the Taurus BB air-gun from Mavula's house well secured in a pistol holster.
Hlupo led to the recovery of another pistol holster hidden in his Isuzu KB vehicle parked at Mavula's house.
Detectives searched Hlupo and found a Government employee card.
Hlupo failed to give a satisfactory answer and was arrested.
Source - The Herald
