News / Regional
Father of 11 steals to pay school fees
01 Nov 2015 at 09:27hrs | Views
A 56-YEAR-OLD man who is a father of 11 children stole 22 poles valued at $110 from his 91-year-old neighbour in a bid to raise money to pay school fees for his children.
Nhlanhla Siwela of Dombodema area in Bulilima told the court that his children were being continuously sent home from school and he was struggling to raise the money.
Siwela who also revealed that he owned 20 cattle said eight of his children were at school while the other two were not employed.
"I stole the poles as I wanted to sell them in a bid to raise money for my children's school fees. I earn a living through piece jobs which I perform as a builder but the money is hardly enough for me to sustain my large family.
"My children were being persistently sent home from school and I needed the money urgently. I have 20 cattle but they are with a relative who stays far from my homestead which made it difficult for me to access one on time," said Siwela.
He pleaded for the court's leniency after citing that he was the sole breadwinner at his homestead.
Siwela was convicted by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa for theft. Mr Ruvetsa sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit an offence of the same nature. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Dombodema Clinic.
Prosecuting, Mr Clemence Shawarira said Siwela stole 22 metal poles belonging to Moses Ngwenya on 8 October in the middle of the night and nothing was recovered.
Nhlanhla Siwela of Dombodema area in Bulilima told the court that his children were being continuously sent home from school and he was struggling to raise the money.
Siwela who also revealed that he owned 20 cattle said eight of his children were at school while the other two were not employed.
"I stole the poles as I wanted to sell them in a bid to raise money for my children's school fees. I earn a living through piece jobs which I perform as a builder but the money is hardly enough for me to sustain my large family.
"My children were being persistently sent home from school and I needed the money urgently. I have 20 cattle but they are with a relative who stays far from my homestead which made it difficult for me to access one on time," said Siwela.
He pleaded for the court's leniency after citing that he was the sole breadwinner at his homestead.
Siwela was convicted by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa for theft. Mr Ruvetsa sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit an offence of the same nature. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Dombodema Clinic.
Prosecuting, Mr Clemence Shawarira said Siwela stole 22 metal poles belonging to Moses Ngwenya on 8 October in the middle of the night and nothing was recovered.
Source - sundaynews
