After breaking into the regional magistrate’s office and stealing a mobile, an unrepentant thief serving community service at Mutare Magistrates’ Court went to Pick n Pay Supermarket, where he was caught thieving from the massive retailer.
When Tanaka Svosve of Chikanga Phase Two in Mutare came before Mutare provincial magistrate Mr. Tendai Mahwe last Friday, he was found guilty of unlawful access into property.
Leading the State’s case, Ms Mazvita Kadenha informed the court that on February 20, Svosve, a community service participant at Mutare Magistrates’ Court, broke into the regional magistrate’s office and took a mobile.
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According to Ms. Kadenha, Svosve stole from Mrs. Phatekhile Msipa’s office when she was away as the regional magistrate.
The mobile was stolen by Svosve while Mrs Msipa was in court.
“Svosve went through the big doorway that led to the reception area and opened it. Svosve went inside and opened the regional magistrate’s office’s closed door that wasn’t locked. He left without noticing after stealing a Samsung S10 Plus smartphone that was on the table, according to Ms. Kadenha.
After learning of the offence, Mrs. Msipa went to the Mutare Central Police Station to report it.
Svosve was taken to Mutare Central Police Station that same day after being detained for shoplifting by security personnel at Pick n Pay Supermarket.
When Svosve was checked upon his arrest, Mrs Msipa’s mobile was found hidden in his socks.
Svosve was asked to unlock the phone, but when he failed, the on-duty Sergeant Arizona grew suspicious.
Upon reviewing her files, she discovered that Mrs. Msipa had previously reported a stolen phone.
Mrs. Msipa was invited by Sergeant Arizona to the police station, where she was able to definitely identify her pilfered phone.
The stolen phone was found, and its total value is $130 USD.
Svosve received sentences of twenty days in jail for thieving from TM Supermarket and thirty months in jail for stealing from the regional magistrate’s office.
He was subsequently required to perform community service, and the four months that had been suspended previously in the case took effect.
At present, he has been incarcerated for 34 months and 20 days in total.
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