Three-member theft syndicate arrested

POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested a three-member syndicate after the discovery of theft of goods valued at more than $2 000. Two of the syndicate members are attached to OK Mart. Donald Charlie (26) of Block 70/2250 Mpopoma, Rekerai Mandonga (28) of 41 Churchill Road, Bellevue and Alfred Mpofu (22), of Number 3 Ellen Bogen Avenue in Ilanda yesterday pleaded guilty to theft.

Bulawayo magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove saved them the agony of jail and sentenced each to 12 months in prison, which was wholly suspended on condition that they each perform 420 hours of community service.

In arriving at the sentence, the magistrate said she had taken into account that they are all first offenders who pleaded guilty to the charge and did not waste the court's time.

"It is clear that you did not benefit from the commission of this offence because after stealing the goods you sold them at give-away prices and all the money you realised was recovered.

"Charlie and Mandonga have already lost employment and this is already punishment," said the magistrate.

The prosecutor, Mr Mazwi Goto, told the court that Doltek Enterprises employed Charlie and he was attached to OK Mart as a merchandiser.

Safeguard Security Company employed Mandonga and he was attached to OK Mart Wholesalers while First Mutual Company employed Mpofu.

On Sunday, at about 2.35pm, Charlie packed two boxes containing 1 200 x 20 packets of Everest cigarettes, three boxes containing 1 800x20 packets of Kingsgate cigarettes and two boxes containing 12 x 750ml Viceroy brandy bottles for Mpofu who pretended to be a genuine customer.

Mpofu pushed the trolley to the till points, went through without paying and headed for the exit door, which was manned by Mandonga.

Mandonga pretended to be verifying a receipt of payment when he knew that no payment had been made.

Mpofu produced an airtime receipt, which was stamped by Mandonga and Mpofu took the trolley and went away.

Mpofu was arrested after a tip-off. The stolen goods were worth $2 772 and $1 780 being proceeds from the goods was recovered.

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