News / Regional
Man steals bicycle in Zimbabwe, sells it in Zambia
05 Aug 2012 at 14:38hrs | Views
IN a daring attempt to make quick money, a Makwa man stole a bicycle and crossed the Zambezi River to Zambia where he wanted to sell it.
Stephen Sibanda (26) of Lucia Ndlovu's homestead in Makwa under Chief Hwange was arraigned before provincial magistrate, Mr Collet Ncube, to answers charges of contravening section 113 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) chapter 9:23, "theft."
The court heard that during the period extending between 15 to 21 June, Sibanda proceeded to house number 719 Zambezi pump station in Makwa. He took a mountain bicycle, silver and red in colour, which was parked in the veranda and went away unnoticed.
Sibanda then crossed the Zambezi River into Zambia where he sold the bike to Roy Simachili. Back home, the owner of the bicycle came to check on the progress of the repairs but he, however, found Smart Tshuma who was repairing the bicycle not around. A neighbour noticed that the bicycle was missing and alerted Tshuma who had gone to Hwange.
Word of the missing bicycle soon spread spilling into neighbouring Zambia. Following a tip-off from members of the public, Sibanda was arrested by Zambian Neighbourhood Watch committee members, who handed him over to Sibankwazi Police on 26 July.
The total value of the stolen bicycle was US$80 and it is still in Zambia. Sibanda who pleaded guilty to the crime was sentenced to seven months of which one month was suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence involving dishonesty.
A further three months was suspended on condition that Sibanda pays Tshuma restitution fee in the sum of US$80.
Mr Tinomupeyi Mbiza prosecuted for the state.
Stephen Sibanda (26) of Lucia Ndlovu's homestead in Makwa under Chief Hwange was arraigned before provincial magistrate, Mr Collet Ncube, to answers charges of contravening section 113 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) chapter 9:23, "theft."
The court heard that during the period extending between 15 to 21 June, Sibanda proceeded to house number 719 Zambezi pump station in Makwa. He took a mountain bicycle, silver and red in colour, which was parked in the veranda and went away unnoticed.
Sibanda then crossed the Zambezi River into Zambia where he sold the bike to Roy Simachili. Back home, the owner of the bicycle came to check on the progress of the repairs but he, however, found Smart Tshuma who was repairing the bicycle not around. A neighbour noticed that the bicycle was missing and alerted Tshuma who had gone to Hwange.
The total value of the stolen bicycle was US$80 and it is still in Zambia. Sibanda who pleaded guilty to the crime was sentenced to seven months of which one month was suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence involving dishonesty.
A further three months was suspended on condition that Sibanda pays Tshuma restitution fee in the sum of US$80.
Mr Tinomupeyi Mbiza prosecuted for the state.
Source - SN
