Zimbabwe News Online: House breaker jailed for eight years

House breaker jailed for eight years
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chronicle Court Reporter  on 13 November, 2009 01:17:00
 
Kelvin Ndlovu (30) of Block 9/872 Mpopoma pleaded guilty to two counts of
unlawful entry and theft and escaping from lawful custody before Bulawayo
magistrate, Mrs Thobekile Mkhosana-Matimbe.
He was sentenced to eight years in jail for unlawful entry and theft of which
two years were suspended for five years on condition that he is not within that
period convicted of a similar offence.
Mrs Mkhosana-Matimbe sentenced him to two years in jail for escaping from lawful
custody and wholly suspended the sentence for five years on condition of good
behaviour.
In mitigation, Ndlovu pleaded with the court to exercise leniency on him since
his wife is expecting. He said he stole because of temptation. In passing
sentence, the magistrate noted that the offence of housebreaking with intent to
steal and theft was now prevalent, adding that there was need to protect members
of society by passing deterrent sentences.
The prosecutor, Mr Mazhar Petkar, told the court that on 27 October last year,
Ndlovu broke into a flat at the corner of Fort Street and 14th Avenue and stole
property worth Z$98 million, which included cellphone handsets, electronic
gadgets, meat, mealie meal and Mazoe Orange Crush drink.
On 9 February this year, Ndlovu was arrested for a case of unlawful entry into
premises and theft and was detained at Bulawayo Central Police station cells.
The following day, three detectives booked him out from the holding cells so
that he could assist them with the recovery of some property, which he had
confessed to being in possession of. They went to a house in Suburbs where some
stolen goods were recovered.
On their way back to Bulawayo Central Police station, near Eveline High School,
Ndlovu jumped out of the moving police vehicle and fled into the bush.
On 10 October this year, Ndlovu broke into a house in Trenance where he stole
property worth US$950, which included a mountain bike.
The complainant arrested Ndlovu on 6 November after he saw him riding the stolen
bicycle. Property worth US$500 was recovered through his indications