Zimbabwean man jailed for trying to be a superdad

A 20-year-old man from Chitungwiza, Carlos Makore, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being convicted of robbery. The young father-to-be claimed he turned to crime to support his pregnant wife, but his justification failed to sway the court.

Appearing before the Chitungwiza Magistrates' Court, Makore admitted to stealing a Samsung A52 mobile phone and a wallet containing US$10. Explaining his actions, he said, "I wanted to use the money to buy preparation since my wife is pregnant."
The Crime

The court heard that on November 8, around midnight, Makore and two accomplices accosted Ngonidzaishe Choruwa along Denga Road in Zengeza. The group restrained Choruwa while Makore took the phone and wallet.

Police arrested Makore two days later, recovering the stolen phone, but the money was not retrieved. His accomplices remain at large.
The Sentence

Magistrate dismissed Makore's plea for leniency, sentencing him to 12 months in jail, with two months suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
A Price Too High

Makore's misguided attempt to provide for his family now means he will miss the birth of his child. While his intentions may have been well-meaning, his actions underscore the futility of turning to crime as a solution to life's challenges.

As Makore begins his prison sentence, his case serves as a cautionary tale: there are no shortcuts to responsibility, and crime offers no lasting rewards.