The Sunday News
Gwanda Correspondent
A 19-YEAR-OLD man from Gwanda will perform 280 hours of community service for stealing a friend’s ATM card and withdrawing his salary to pay a debt. Sengamu Mangoyo of Jessie Mine told magistrate Ms Sheila Nazombe that he was forced to steal Khonzani Moyo’s bank card to withdraw $200 to pay a debt he owed someone.
Asked as to how he got to know Moyo’s PIN number, Mangoyo said: “I spied on his documents and got to know his PIN number.
“I knew that his salary had been deposited into his bank account so I took advantage of that and used the money to pay a debt.”
Mangoyo was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which four months were suspended on condition he restitutes Moyo $200 before 1 May, 2014 through the Gwanda clerk of court.
The remaining eight months were suspended on condition he performed 280 hours community service at Coleen Bawn Primary School starting on Monday this week.
Ms Nazombe said Mangoyo had displayed a high degree of dishonesty and betrayed his friend’s trust.
“You are only 19 years and if you are going to be so conniving, manipulative and betraying the trust of your friend, we are going to have problems with you. This offence was pre-planned.
“I would advise you to change your ways as quickly as possible otherwise you will be a constant visitor here. Now your friend will never trust you again,” said Ms Nazombe.
Prosecutor Edward Ndlovu said Mangoyo went to Moyo’s house and found that there was no one.
He entered the house and took Mangoyo’s ZB bank card which was under the bed and proceeded to Gwanda Town.
“While in Gwanda, the accused withdrew money amounting to $200 from the complainant’s account. The accused then came back from the bank and returned the card where he had taken it from.
“The matter came to light when the complainant went to the bank to withdraw money but was informed that $200 was withdrawn in the morning,” Ndlovu told the court.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to Mangoyo’s arrest.
