Two men from Lower Gweru, Marvellous Sibanda (23) and Israel Mpofu (40), have been sentenced to prison for multiple counts of unlawful entry after appearing before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court.
The duo targeted homes between July and August 2024, breaking in to steal valuables. In one incident on August 8, Sibanda unlawfully entered a homestead using a duplicate key while the complainant was fetching firewood. He stole household goods, money, and 10 kilograms of mealie meal.
The complainant managed to track Sibanda and apprehended him while he was attempting to flee with the stolen mealie meal. A stolen cellphone was also recovered from Sibanda’s possession.
Both accused were found guilty on four counts. Sibanda was sentenced to 30 months in prison, of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior, and six months suspended on condition of restitution. He will serve an effective 12 months in jail. Mpofu was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
