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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO Bulawayo women have each been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment which was suspended on condition that they perform 280 hours of community service for shoplifting in Gwanda Town.

Nobuhle Nkala (49) of Cowdray Park suburb and Beatrice Sibanda (34) of Nkulumane suburb were convicted on their own plea of guilty to theft when they appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube.

Miss Ncube sentenced them to 12 months imprisonment and four months were suspended on condition they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years. The remaining eight months were further suspended on condition that they perform 280 hours of community service at Cowdray Park Clinic and Nkulumane Police Station respectively.

Simangele Moyo (45) of Pumula suburb and Fredrick Munenge of Gwabalanda suburb were acquitted after the State withdrew charges against them due to lack of evidence.

Prosecuting, Ms Teererai Mahohoma said Nkala and Sibanda stole clothing valued at $464 from Jet Store in Gwanda and groceries valued at $67 from Quiks Supermarket and Butchery.

“On 10 November around 1PM the two women went into Jet Stores and they took various clothing items and hid them underneath their clothes. A security guard got suspicious and tried to stop them at the door in order to search them but the two women rushed into their vehicle and drove away.

“Nkala and Sibanda further went to Quiks Supermarket and Butchery around 2PM where they stole groceries valued at $67 and they went away unnoticed,” she said.

Ms Mahohoma said the matter was reported to the police resulting in their arrest.

She said all the stolen goods were recovered from Nkala and Sibanda.

In mitigation their lawyer, Ms Bridget Mushaninga from Legal Aid begged the court to be lenient to her clients saying they had not benefited from committing the offence as all the stolen goods were recovered.

“Your Worship I pray that the court may be lenient with my clients as they are both widows and have children to look after. They pleaded guilty to both offences thereby not wasting the court’s time and they have shown remorse over their actions.

“My clients also didn’t benefit from committing this offence as the stolen property was all recovered. I pray that the court may consider a fine as a suitable sentence for the crime they committed,” she said.—@DubeMatutu