21-year-old mealie-meal thief to perform community service

Brandon Sibanda, Sunday News Reporter

A 21-year-old man from Banket in Mashonaland West province, who broke into a house at Hartley farm, while the owner was at work and stole various items inclusive of mealie-meal has been found guilty and ordered to perform community service as part of the sentence.

According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the accused Owen Chera also of Hartley farm, Banket appeared recently at the Chinhoyi Magistrate Court facing one count of unlawful entry.

“On the 4th of September 2024, the accused person proceeded to the 54-year-old complainant, place of residence at Hartley farm in Banket and broke into the house whilst the complainant was at work.

“He took the complainant’s red mountain bike, blue jacket, work suit, two hair clippers, a wireless radio, 10kilogram of mealie meal and US$22,” reads the statement.

The complainant however managed to track the perpetrator using his spoors and apprehend him, recovering some of the stolen goods.

“The goods were worth US$113 but the police managed to only recover goods worth US$91,” reads the statement.

Chera was found guilty of the offence and sentenced to 18 months in prison of which five months were suspended for five years. In addition to this, a month was again removed on condition that he restitutes the complainant.

A further 12 months was also suspended on condition that he complete 410 hours of community service.