A 24-year-old Zimbabwean man from Entumbane, Witness Sibanda, has been sentenced after stealing items including towels, bedsheets, light bulbs, a solar panel, and even a cup and plate from two Harris Lodges in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
The stolen items were valued at approximately US$480. Sibanda had posed as a regular guest but attempted to flee with the items.
His plan was foiled by vigilant lodge security and members of the neighbourhood watch, and he was later arrested by armed detectives. All the stolen property was recovered.
Appearing before Magistrate Eva Matura, Sibanda pleaded guilty and claimed he committed the theft for personal use, citing that he was unmarried but had a six-year-old child.
Despite his plea, the court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with three months suspended for five years. The remaining nine months were converted to 315 hours of community service at Siyazama Primary School.
