Man steals from brother-in-law

A 23-year-old man from Beitbridge, Nigel Masona, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after he broke into his brother-in-law's house and stole ZAR 4,900 from a safe. Initially handed a 24-month prison sentence, Masona had four months suspended for five years on the condition that he restitutes the stolen amount to his brother-in-law.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe revealed that Masona forcibly gained entry into the house on October 20, 2024. According to a statement from the NPA, the complainant, who is Masona's brother-in-law, had locked all doors and windows before leaving the property with his wife. However, while they were away, a neighbor alerted him about a trespasser on the premises. Upon further investigation, the neighbor informed him that Masona was at the house.

When the complainant returned, he found that the door had been forced open, and the safe was broken into, with ZAR 4,900 missing. A police report was swiftly filed, leading to Masona's arrest.

Masona's suspended sentence comes with the condition that he compensates his brother-in-law, underscoring the court's emphasis on restitution in this case.