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Emily Mbewe Court Reporter
TWO suspects have been arrested for breaking into different houses and stealing property worth more than $8,000 after cutting burglar bars and using duplicate keys to gain entry.The duo would allegedly steal property that include television sets, mobile phones and motor vehicle spare parts.

Freeman Tshuma, 29, and Meluleki Ncube whose age was not given, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze charged with 15 counts of unlawful entry and theft, but were not asked to plead.

They were both remanded in custody to June 1.

Prosecuting, Taurayi Hondoyemoto told the court that on January 12 last year at around 10PM, Lloyd Ncube of West Sommerton retired to bed after locking the doors to his house.

The court heard that during the night, Tshuma and Meluleki cut a chain that was used to secure the gate and gained entry into the yard.

Hondoyemoto told the court that the duo proceeded into the dining room through a window that they forcibly opened using an unknown object, before cutting the burglar bar and gaining entry.

The two men allegedly stole a Samsung S4 mobile phone, a Blackberry phone, a red satchel, a television set, among others items.

The prosecutor said the next day, the two used the same tactic to enter Gerald Manyora’s house in Bellevue before stealing a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone, 15 kilogrammes of beef, two baby towels, a 42 inch Telefunken Plasma television and $50.

The pair, the court heard, on May 9 the same year at around 4AM went to Abraham Sadiki’s house in West Sommerton and gained entry into his house where they stole a Samsung 32 inch LED television set and a Nokia 1200.

Hondoyemoto told the court that the television set was recovered from the duo after their arrest.

The prosecutors told the court that on August 14 of the same year Tshuma and Ncube gained entry into Jesphat Munyati’s house in Matsheumhlope suburb.

“While inside the house, the accused persons stole a 42 inch LG television set, an x2 Nokia cellphone, seven stainless pots, six blankets, four bed covers, 10 bath towels, one gas stove and groceries,” said Hondoyemoto.

He told the court that the duo used the same tactic to steal an HP laptop, Blackberry mobile phone, $110, car keys and Samsung tablet from Rongai Mupfumba, Isabel Ncube and Charity Chishamba at their homes in different Bulawayo suburbs.

The court heard that on March 19 this year the pair stole car parts from Jaff Mhlophe’s motor vehicle in Nketa.

“The accused persons were identified by fingerprints. The total value stolen is $165 and nothing was recovered. The accused persons acted unlawfully,” said Hondoyemoto.