A HARARE couple who claimed they went on a robbery spree
during the lockdown period to sustain their family has been jailed for one
year, the Daily News reports.
Rodrick Muchaka, 27,
and his wife Shalom Mulauzi, 22, of Retreat, Waterfalls pleaded guilty to two
counts of unlawful entry when they appeared before Harare magistrate Victoria
Mashamba yesterday.
They were each
sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment before 12 months were suspended on
condition of good behaviour and a further 10 months were set aside if they
compensated the first complainant $1 422,50 and $525 by June 30.
Muchaka and his wife
will serve an effective one year, leaving three minor children and his
visually-impaired mother who are currently in the care of neighbours.
He claimed that
Mulauzi had taken over the family’s responsibilities as she earned a living
from panel beating in Mbare, but had been grounded by the lockdown.
“We wanted to raise money for medication that had been
prescribed for my ailing mother and also for food for our minor children.
“I have not been working and my wife took over since she
was getting a bit of money from her work,” Muchaka said.
“Unfortunately, since the lockdown, we have been struggling
and we apologise to the complainants but it was a gesture of desperation. May
the courts pardon us,” said Muchaka.
Mashamba said the couple had premeditated the offence and a
non-custodial sentence was not justified under the circumstances.
“The accused persons have not wasted the court’s time and
pleaded guilty to the offence. However, they sat down as husband and wife and
planned to steal from innocent citizens during the lockdown,” Mashamba said.
“They defied President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call to stay at
home for 21 days and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The court’s hands
are tied and a custodial sentence will be imposed.”
They stole a 33-inch plasma television set, solar
batteries, jungle booster, two speakers, eight blankets, three gas tanks, 50kg
of maize, plates, cups and dishes valued at $20 585.
When they were
arrested detectives recovered property valued at $17 740 at their residence.
On the second
incident, the couple went to Concillia Chipunza’s residence on April 4 and
stole groceries and assorted property worth $18 530. Property worth $17 480 was
recovered. Daily News
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