Man nicks 2 police bikes, says wanted to raise money to collect son’s body from mortuary
by Midlands Correspondent, October 15, 2015
MVUMA ZIMBABWE: A 33-year-old local man on Wednesday left the court in stitches when he said he stole two police bikes in order to raise money to collect the body of his child which was lying at a mortuary.
This was after Gweru magistrate, Tayengwa Chibanda, had asked Kumbirai Mahamba why he had stolen the two bikes.
“Your worship I stole the bikes because I wanted to raise money to collect the body of my child at mortuary,” Mahamba said.
Chibanda fined Mahamba $100 after convicting him on two counts of theft.
Mahamba must pay the fine by the 30th November failure which he will serve 60 days each for the two charges.
The magistrate said he considered that Mahamba was a first offender and that he had gained nothing as the bikes were recovered.
He, however, said cases of theft were on the increase hence the need to punish the offenders.
Prosecutors told the court that on August 5 this year, Josia Chiomo, a police officer based at Mvuma camp, left his bike in the veranda as he retired to bed.
Mahamba came during the night and stole the bicycle.
On October 11, Chiomo met Mahamba in Mushayabvudzi residential area riding the bike. He identified his property through its serial number and other features he quickly recognised.
Mahamba was also wearing safety shoes, similar to those that had left prints on the night the bike was stolen.
Again on the same night as in count one, Charity Matizira, a female police officer at Mvuma camp left her bike outside as she retired to bed.
In similar style, Mahamba stole the bike. After he was arrested as in count one, he led police to his pace of residence at Central Estates headquarters, Mvuma where Matizira's bike was discovered.
The total value of the two bikes is $249.