By Dumisani Ndlovu
A Ridgemond man in Gweru was convicted and sentenced to five days in prison for stealing a $1 belonging to Simbarashe Mushonga (27).
Gweru magistrate, Nixon Mangoti slapped Tichaona Masawi to 5 days imprisonment term. The sentence was however wholly suspended on condition of full restitution to the complainant.
Magistrate Mangoti whose sentence might tactfully make some people learn that no crime is ‘smaller’ and that the value of an item is determined by its owner found the accused guilty as charged.
In passing the sentence the magistrate said “Having been convicted of the crime I find you guilty as pleaded and charged, hence sentence you as follows: five days in prison wholly suspended on conditions that you restitute the complainant the sum of US$1 on or before 6 May 2024”.
Agreed facts are that on the 25th of April 2024, the accused who was charged with a crime of theft as defined in section 113 of the criminal law codification and reform act Chapter 9.23 and at Kombayi Bottle store, Ridgemond, Tichaona Masawi unlawfully took a black wallet with U$2, the property belonged to Simbarashe Mushonga, knowing that Mushonga is entitled to own, possess or control the property and realising that there was high risky or possibility that Simbarashe may lose ownership and intending to permanently deprive him of his ownership.
According to the state, on the day in question while they were drinking beer, the complainant discovered that his wallet was missing. He asked the accused if he had seen it but he said he did not see it. The matter came to light when the complainant asked his friend only identified as Gweja and the friend told him that he saw the accused fishing it out of the complainant’s pocket.
The complainant, Mushonga then went back to the accused who finally agreed to have taken the wallet and had already used $1 to buy beer and $1 was recovered.The state was represented by Christine Shoniwa.
