The Sunday News
Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
A GUYU juvenile in Gwanda District who claimed in court that she dreamt of spots where money is hidden before stealing has been commuted to a rehabilitation centre in Bulawayo.
The 16-year-old juvenile appeared before Gwanda magistrate Mrs Sheila Nazombe facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
When she was convicted the juvenile told the court that she always dreamt of where money is stuffed and then goes and strikes.
“When I’m sleeping especially in the afternoon I see all the positions where money is hidden and then I go and steal,” she said to a stunned court.
When the magistrate convicted her she referred her to a probation officer for assessment who recommended that she needed rehabilitation as she was in the habit of stealing. Mrs Nazombe then committed her to Luveve Training School for Girls in Bulawayo for rehabilitation.
Passing sentence she said she had considered that the juvenile was still young but warned her that if she commits a similar offence or flees from Luveve, the court will be left with no option but to give her a prison term.
Prosecuting, Mr Teererai Mahohoma told the court that on 19 December last year in Ntalale Village in Guyu, the juvenile went to Puluko Sebata’s homestead. On arrival she used a blunt object to break into his bedroom and broke his wardrobe door before stealing $130. Sebata discovered the break-in on his return and followed footprints which led to the juvenile’s homestead.
The juvenile disappeared from the area for some time until her return recently leading to her arrest. She then admitted to have stolen the money and $100 was recovered where she had hidden it at her homestead.
