A VILLAGER who broke into a church toilet and stole a
bundle of wire has been sentenced to seven months in prison.
Ganizani Sibanda (52) of Chidobe just outside the resort
town broke into Twelve Apostolic Church premises and stole 150 metres of barbed
wire that was kept in a toilet.
Church members tracked Sibanda’s footprints after
discovering that the toilet door had been damaged last month leading to his
arrest.
Sibanda pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and theft when he
appeared before the Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje.
He told the court that he stole the barbed wire because he
wanted to fence his homestead and thought that the bundle was being wasted as
it was kept in a toilet without being used.
The magistrate slapped Sibanda with seven months in prison
and suspended two months for five years on condition of good behaviour. Sibanda
will serve an effective five months in prison.
He was also fined $20 for contempt of court after he failed
to appear in court last week. Sibanda told the court that he could not travel
to court because his wife was not around to remain with the kids.
For the State, Ms Sithabile Daka-Mungombe said Sibanda
broke into Twelve Apostolic Church on October 26.
“On 26 October at night Sibanda broke into Twelve Apostolic
Church’s toilet. He broke the lock to gain entry.
“He then stole 150 metres of barbed wire. On the next day
Mr Ivan Vundla who stays at the church premises saw the footsteps and alerted
other church members,” said Ms Daka.
The church members followed the footprints leading them to
Sibanda’s homestead.
A report was made to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest
and recovery of the stolen property. Chronicle
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