Tendai Charumbira
A 37 year-old man from Gweru will rue the day he tried his stealing theatrics in Masvingo after being slapped with a five month prison term for theft he committed on June 16, 2022.
Luck ran out for Patrick Matoza of Kudzanai village in Sogwana, Gweru after he tried the trick of deliberately swapping his black satchel with that of Nickson Kwirirai (36) at his work place at Belmont Press building along Simon Muzenda Street in Masvingo Central Business Center (CBD).
Matoza appeared before magistrate Farai Gwitima who initially sentenced him to eight months imprisonment before three were suspended given that he was not to commit a similar offense over the next five years.
The state case as presented by Godknows Magondo, was that on June 16, 2022 at around 0645 hours, Matoza went to Kwirirai’s work place along Simon Muzenda Street in Masvingo CBD and realized that the latter had left his satchel.
In a typical movie-style script, Matoza who had his own black satchel swapped it with Kwirirai’s as the victim was not around at the tables. Unfortunately a flask jug that was near the satchel gave away the move as it fell in the process alerting Kwirirai’s female workplace colleague who raised alarm following Matoza whose pace did not even show signs of panic from the pursuit.
The accused stole the satchel and moved fastly along Josiah Tongogara Street. The female colleague quickly realized that the accused had picked up Kwirirai’s and ran after him.
Detective sergeant Dube and detective constable Hungwe joined the chase and arrested the accused person and they recovered the satchel.
All the money was recovered.
The satchel contained US$ 1 140, 34×$ 10 recharge cards, 62×$5 recharge cards, national identification card, two motor vehicle registration books and an agreement of sale document.
Recently, a female Gutu police officer appeared before magistrate Mandlenkosi Ndlovu facing allegations of stealing cash amounting to US$ 3 700.
Horinda Gwendoline (34) stationed at ZRP Gutu Camp is being charged with theft and was remanded out of custody.
