Thubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A SECURITY guard and two Hammer and Tongues Auctioneers employees who connived to steal five computers from the company will each perform 526 hours of community service. Brothers Philip Muswanda, 22, Julian Muswanda, 20, both of Nkulumane and security guard Edmore Chikuruwo, 46, of Nketa 9 were convicted of two counts of theft and unlawful entry.

Provincial Magistrate Sibongile Msipa sentenced the trio to 24 months in prison of which 18 months were suspended on condition that they perform 526 hours of community service.

The other five months were suspended  on condition that they do not commit an offence of the same nature within the next five years.

The remaining month was suspended on condition that they restitute the auctioneers $300, the value of the property that was not recovered after the theft.

The total value of the stolen property was $1,800 and property worth $1,500 was recovered.

Magistrate Msipa ordered Philip to carry out his community service at Bulawayo Magistrates’ court, Julian at Nkulumane Police Station and Chikuruwo at Senzengakhona Primary School in Nketa.

Julian pleaded guilty, while Phillip and Chikuruwo denied the charges.

Chikuruwo, who was on guard at  Hammer and Tongues premises at the time of the theft said he was not aware that the two brothers were stealing as they worked there.

“Your worship when Philip and Julian came that night they told me that they had forgotten something at the office and wanted to take it so I let them in. I was never part of their hatched up plan to steal the computers,” said Chikuruwo.

Philip said he never went into the office, but waited for his brother in the  car.

“I was never part of his plan to commit the crime. I was shocked when he loaded the computers in the car, your worship,” said Philip.
Prosecuting, Taurai Hondoyemoto told the court that on December, 12, at around 8 PM; Philip and Julian hired a taxi and proceeded to Hammer and Tongues Auctioneers in the city.

“Upon arrival the two connived with Chikuruwo who was the security guard on duty to open the warehouse using duplicate keys and they gained entry,” said Hondoyemoto.

While inside the trio stole five Samsung computers.

The court heard that detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Hillside investigated the matter, leading to the trio’s arrest.

 

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