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Emily Mbewe Court Reporter
A MZILIKAZI man stole a Blackberry curve cellphone from a prophet during a prayer session, a court heard. Tatenda Andrew Jemwa, 28, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa.

He was remanded in custody to today for sentencing.

The State’s case as presented by Dennmore Kasenza is that on April 12, at around 9AM Jemwa went to prophet Phonet Masuku’s house to seek prayer services. The court heard that Masuku went out of the house to fetch water that he wanted to use for the prayers leaving Jemwa alone in the room.

Kasenza told the court that Masuku left the mobile phone in a pocket of his jacket that was hanging on the wall.

“After Masuku had rendered the services, Jemwa went home,” said Kasenza.

When Jemwa had left the house, said Kasenza, Masuku noticed that his mobile phone was missing and began to search for it.

“Masuku went to Jemwa’s place of residence and questioned him on the whereabouts of his mobile phone. He admitted to stealing the mobile phone,” said Kasenza.

The court heard that Jemwa promised to replace the mobile phone.

After some days, the court heard Jemwa gave Masuku a phone which had a charging problem and he refused to accept it. The matter was reported to the police after Jemwa failed to purchase a new mobile phone for Masuku.