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Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
AN 18-year-old prostitute from Gwanda was yesterday slapped with a 30-day jail term for stealing $5 from a taxi driver.

Nesisa Moyo of Spitzkop suburb stole the money at a popular night spot in the mining town’s Central Business District.

Gwanda resident magistrate Mr Arafat Konzanai convicted her on her own plea of guilty to theft.

Moyo told the court she stole the money to pay a debt. “I was with Forward in his taxi and he left me in the car at Talk of Gwanda Night Club. I took advantage of his absence and stole $5. I wanted to pay someone whom I owe. Forward is my friend’s boyfriend. We were coming from sightseeing at Phakama,” she said.

Mr Konzanai said the path Moyo was taking in life was not proper.

He said she needed serious counselling to live a proper life expected of people of her age.

“What were you doing away from home at such an hour? Who do you live with? Does that sister of yours allow you to roam around town at such an hour?” asked the magistrate.

“Are you a tourist? The path you have chosen is dangerous and the court has decided to give you a short and sharp custodial sentence so that you get counselling and reform.”

Initially, Moyo had been charged with stealing $20 but she gave a limited plea of guilty to stealing $5 which was accepted by the prosecutor, Mr Moses Gondongwe.

The court heard that on Saturday at around 11PM, Moyo and the taxi driver, identified only as Forward, went to Talk of Gwanda nightspot.

He left her in the car and Moyo stole cash which was in the dashboard.

When Forward returned, he discovered the theft and questioned Moyo, who professed ignorance.

The court heard Forward reported the matter to the police, leading to Moyo’s arrest.