The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Court Correspondent
A MAN who allegedly broke into premises in separate incidents around Bulawayo and stole property worth more than $350 000 has been arrested.
Knowledge Ndhlovu (28) of House Number 23462 Pumula South was arrested on Friday after a tip-off from the owner of the vehicle which he used to conduct his criminal activities. He was charged with three counts of unlawful entry into premises in aggravating circumstances, two of theft and another of unlawful possession of articles for criminal use when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya yesterday. He pleaded not guilty and Mr Tashaya remanded him in custody to tomorrow for trial. Prosecuting, Mr Privilege Mudozvori said Ndhlovu teamed up to commit the crimes with two accomplices, one who is still at large and another reportedly dead.
“On the first count on 15 July 2020 accused person together with his accomplices Mike Mpofu who is still at large and Webster Muchena who is now deceased proceeded to White Rock Bottle Store in Matsheumhlophe where they forced open the doors to gain entry. While inside the bottle store the accused person stole property. The accused person and his accomplices were spotted at the scene by a security guard which made them flee using a commuter omnibus registration ADC 8798. While making their getaway, the accused persons crashed the car into a precast wall about 200 metres away from the scene thereby dumping the vehicle and fleeing on foot,” said Mr Mudozvori.
Mr Mudozvori said the motor vehicle was recovered with some of the property and objects used for the crime.
“Upon recovery of the motor vehicle, it was searched and the following articles of criminal use were recovered; a hitachi angle grinder, a soldering iron, a metal crowbar, a black and yellow respirator, a two-metre long iron bar and a black woollen hat belonging to the accused. A follow-up was made through the owner of the vehicle which led to the arrest of the accused persons who was later interviewed and implicated his two accomplices and confesses to have stolen from other two cases,” he said.
Mr Mudozvori said on the second count, Ndhlovu stole at Leeside Butchery and East 68 Pub and Grill whereas for the second count he stole at Belmont together with his accomplices.
“On the second count, Ndhlovu stole also at Matsheumhlophe where he forced open the pub and stole goods. On the third count on July 13 the accused person with two of his accomplices proceeded to Number 6 Leaning Rd Belmont, Bulawayo where they forced open the doors to gain entry.
“While inside the office the accused persons stole 8 litres of cooking oil, 2kg white sugar, 2kg brown sugar, 1 Bakers Inn bread, CCTV controller and hard drive, Hewlett Packard laptop, 5l engine oil, 8 tissues and 2kg pork,” said Mr Mudozvori.
Mr Mudozvori said the accused person was arrested for count one and upon being interviewed he admitted to have committed the offence and he led the detectives to the recovery of the laptop from his wife Yolanda Bhebhe.
The total value of stolen property was $355 302 and $61 089 worth of the loot was recovered.
@mthabisi_mthire.
