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Nokusa Masuku Court Reporter
A FORMER soldier from Bulawayo who was convicted of 29 counts of unlawful entry and theft was on Wednesday sentenced to an effective 13 years in prison.

Philani Ndlovu, 26, had told the court that he committed the serial crimes because he wanted to do driving lessons.

“I committed these offences so that I could do my class four driving lessons and I haven’t finished the lessons yet. I have two siblings who go to school and they depend on me for their livelihood,” said Ndlovu.

Provincial magistrate, Willard Maphios Moyo, said the property which was recovered was insignificant, making Ndlovu’s cases very serious.

“It’s therefore apparent that in most of those break-ins you benefited tremendously while your victims suffered much prejudice. In the circumstances, therefore, the only appropriate sentence will be effective imprisonment. The courts will also consider your pleas of guilty and give you shorter sentences than those normally imposed in cases of this nature,” said Moyo.

Ndlovu was sentenced to 18 years and a month in prison.

However, five years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Prosecuting Mufaro Mageza told the court that in December last year, Ndlovu broke into four different premises on different occasions and stole property valued at over $4,000. Only property worth $290 was recovered.

Ndlovu broke into seven supermarkets in Pumula, Lobengula West and Nkulumane, four beergardens in Nkulumane and Pumula South, two bottlestores in Luveve and Nkulumane, Butchery in Nkulumane and a house in Nkulumane.

“Ndlovu gained entry by means of cutting padlocks securing the back door of the premises, breaking the asbestos on the roof of the building and cutting the ceiling. He sometimes entered through a window or forced opened doors,” said Mageza.

Last week, an ex-convict appeared before the same courts at Western Commonage facing 20 counts of unlawful entry and theft. Hlanganani Ncube, 26, was yesterday convicted by magistrate Temba Chimiso for stealing property from eight different police officers at Nkulumane Police camp.

Ncube was doing his community service at the police camp after he was convicted of assault. He ran out of luck when he dropped his cellphone while escaping soon after stealing two cellphones.

The police officers traced him through his phone and arrested him.