News / Local
Two cops jailed for theft from late John Nkomo's house
14 Mar 2013 at 04:42hrs | Views
THE two police officers who broke into the late Vice-President Dr Landa John Nkomo's Bulawayo house and stole property valued at about $7 000 have been sentenced to seven years in prison each.
Costa Fandi (25) and Hillary Ncube (29) were convicted on their own plea by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere.
On the first court of unlawful entry, Fandi and Ncube were each sentenced to three years in prison of which two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
On the count of theft, they were each sentenced to four years in prison of which two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Fandi and Ncube who were both represented by Mr Tungamirai Obey Nyongera, of Mcijo, Dube and Partners will each serve an effective three years in jail.
Sentencing the two police officers, Mr Mberewere said the pair had let down both the police force as an organisation and the late VP Nkomo who was their employer hence a deterrent sentence was called for.
He said what was aggravating was that the two committed the offences while on duty. Mr Mberewere said the only appropriate sentence was imprisonment which should send a clear message to would-be offenders.
Both Fandi and Ncube told the court that they were facing difficulties and needed money to take their wives for treatment.
Ncube and Fandi of House Numbers 1111 and 880 Phakama Township in Gwanda are officers attached to the Police Protection Unit (PPU) in the Matabeleland South capital.
VP Nkomo died on 17 January.
The two were assigned to guard the late VP Nkomo's home at Number 59 Muchbinding Road, Worringham in Bulawayo, between 24 January and 20 February this year.
During that period, the two officers unlawfully entered VP Nkomo's house without permission and stole property, which they sold to different people.
The items stolen include a plasma television set, a decoder, a Toshiba laptop, a mercer card, laptop bag, digital headphones, Cannon camera, United States representative silver sword, binoculars and a Unido Headquarters trophy.
They also stole 25kg of beef, six pairs of suits, shirts, ties, tracksuits, bathing towels, vests, a hat and a cap as well as handkerchiefs.
Also stolen was a parliamentary black bag, a pair of shoes, an electric fan, a flask, a necklace, 5kg of seed maize, umbrella, vehicle laptop charger, Nakai radio and perfume.
After stealing the property Ncube and Fandi sold their loot to different people.
They were arrested by detectives when the complainant, Mr Jabulani Nkomo, who is the late VP Nkomo's son, made a report at Hillside Police Station.
Most of the property has since been recovered.
Miss Tarisai Mutarisi appeared for the State.
Costa Fandi (25) and Hillary Ncube (29) were convicted on their own plea by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere.
On the first court of unlawful entry, Fandi and Ncube were each sentenced to three years in prison of which two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
On the count of theft, they were each sentenced to four years in prison of which two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Fandi and Ncube who were both represented by Mr Tungamirai Obey Nyongera, of Mcijo, Dube and Partners will each serve an effective three years in jail.
Sentencing the two police officers, Mr Mberewere said the pair had let down both the police force as an organisation and the late VP Nkomo who was their employer hence a deterrent sentence was called for.
He said what was aggravating was that the two committed the offences while on duty. Mr Mberewere said the only appropriate sentence was imprisonment which should send a clear message to would-be offenders.
Both Fandi and Ncube told the court that they were facing difficulties and needed money to take their wives for treatment.
Ncube and Fandi of House Numbers 1111 and 880 Phakama Township in Gwanda are officers attached to the Police Protection Unit (PPU) in the Matabeleland South capital.
VP Nkomo died on 17 January.
The two were assigned to guard the late VP Nkomo's home at Number 59 Muchbinding Road, Worringham in Bulawayo, between 24 January and 20 February this year.
During that period, the two officers unlawfully entered VP Nkomo's house without permission and stole property, which they sold to different people.
The items stolen include a plasma television set, a decoder, a Toshiba laptop, a mercer card, laptop bag, digital headphones, Cannon camera, United States representative silver sword, binoculars and a Unido Headquarters trophy.
They also stole 25kg of beef, six pairs of suits, shirts, ties, tracksuits, bathing towels, vests, a hat and a cap as well as handkerchiefs.
Also stolen was a parliamentary black bag, a pair of shoes, an electric fan, a flask, a necklace, 5kg of seed maize, umbrella, vehicle laptop charger, Nakai radio and perfume.
After stealing the property Ncube and Fandi sold their loot to different people.
They were arrested by detectives when the complainant, Mr Jabulani Nkomo, who is the late VP Nkomo's son, made a report at Hillside Police Station.
Most of the property has since been recovered.
Miss Tarisai Mutarisi appeared for the State.
Source - TC
