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'Prayer warrior' steals cellphone from hospital patient
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A 53-year-old Masvingo man has been sentenced to three months in prison after stealing a cellphone from a patient he pretended to pray for at Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
Regis Svondo of Village Mhike, Gokomere, was convicted of theft as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) when he appeared before Magistrate Arafat Kozanayi at the Masvingo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that on January 30, 2026, Svondo went to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where the complainant, Tungamirai Jiri, was admitted. Svondo allegedly approached Jiri's bedside under the guise of offering prayers.
Prosecutor Munyaradzi Mavhondo told the court that Svondo took advantage of the fact that the complainant was asleep and stole a Tecno Honour cellphone valued at US$200 before leaving the ward unnoticed.
However, another patient in the neighbouring bed witnessed the theft and later alerted Jiri after he woke up.
The matter was reported to Jiri's sister, Martha Chinyama, who filed a report at Masvingo Central Police Station. This led to Svondo's arrest and the recovery of the stolen cellphone.
In passing sentence, the court noted that Svondo had no right to take the complainant's property and described his conduct as a serious abuse of trust, particularly in a hospital setting where patients are vulnerable.
Svondo was sentenced to five months' imprisonment, with two months suspended on condition of good behaviour for a period of three years. He will serve an effective three months in jail.
Regis Svondo of Village Mhike, Gokomere, was convicted of theft as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) when he appeared before Magistrate Arafat Kozanayi at the Masvingo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that on January 30, 2026, Svondo went to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where the complainant, Tungamirai Jiri, was admitted. Svondo allegedly approached Jiri's bedside under the guise of offering prayers.
Prosecutor Munyaradzi Mavhondo told the court that Svondo took advantage of the fact that the complainant was asleep and stole a Tecno Honour cellphone valued at US$200 before leaving the ward unnoticed.
However, another patient in the neighbouring bed witnessed the theft and later alerted Jiri after he woke up.
The matter was reported to Jiri's sister, Martha Chinyama, who filed a report at Masvingo Central Police Station. This led to Svondo's arrest and the recovery of the stolen cellphone.
In passing sentence, the court noted that Svondo had no right to take the complainant's property and described his conduct as a serious abuse of trust, particularly in a hospital setting where patients are vulnerable.
Svondo was sentenced to five months' imprisonment, with two months suspended on condition of good behaviour for a period of three years. He will serve an effective three months in jail.
Source - Midweek Watch
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