Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
A well-known elderly serial shoplifter popularly known as umarobane in Victoria Falls yesterday blamed his wife for bewitching him into being a thief.Originally from Tsholotsho, Alfred Jiyane, 68, now resident at Chinotimba Township in Victoria Falls, was yesterday dragged to court for allegedly stealing a pair of trousers from a Topics outlet on Monday.

He is not a newcomer to court as he has been fined about four times this year for similar crimes of theft.

“I was hungry and wanted food. I was married and we separated with my wife after she bewitched me. I left her in the rural areas because of her witchcraft as I was sick and couldn’t walk. She wanted to kill me and now I have to steal to get food,” Jiyane told magistrate Sharon Rosemani as he pleaded guilty to theft.

The state alleges Jiyane entered a Topics outlet in the resort town and stole a pair of trousers which he hid inside his underwear and walked out of the shop.

Jiyane, now a known serial thief, would use the same modus operandi to steal from shops.

In March he was fined $30 or three weeks in jail for stealing a bottle of perfume.  In April he stole a piece of meat from a supermarket which he hid in his trousers and was fined $20 or alternatively two weeks in jail.

On another crime he was sentenced to two months which were suspended with conditions and he ended up doing 35 hours of community service at Victoria Falls ZRP Staff Clinic.

Jiyane, a father of three, was yesterday fined $100.  If he fails to pay, he would be jailed for three months.

Prosecuting, Takunda Ndovorwi narrated how on Monday this week Jiyane entered Topics shop and stole a khaki pair of trousers.

“On August 25 at 2PM the accused entered Topics shop and stole a khaki pair of trousers which he put in his pants and walked out. The complainant Ronald Matanhire saw him and followed him outside before escorting him to the police station where he was arrested,” said the prosecutor.

Sentencing Jiyane, the magistrate rebuked him for his “shameless behaviour.”

“Last time you stole mealie-meal. Are you saying at your age you have to steal anything that you want? You go around stealing small items and if you continue with this behaviour you will end up in big trouble.

“I don’t want to see you here again. You are a person I view as a father or grandfather who should be a role model to youths. Your children are not taking good care of you and I think they are embarrassed by your behaviour. If you don’t want to reform you will end up in prison,” said Rosemani.

Two of Jiyane’s children are in South Africa while an 18-year-old stays with her mother in Tsholotsho.

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