The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
A 17-YEAR-OLD Chipinge tout who was in the habit of using the same modus operandi of destroying rooftops of shops left the court in stitches when he said he broke into shops to raise money to squander with ladies of the night as well as travelling with them. Felix Mtetwa of House Number 3139, ZBS, Gaza, Chipinge, was convicted on his own plea of guilty on Tuesday when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Clemence Ngeshiwa.
He was facing 16 counts of unlawfully entry and theft together with his accomplices who are still at large.
Asked how he spent money from the proceeds of theft, Mtetwa said he was in the habit of hiring cabs and travelling to places outside Chipinge to enjoy life with his ladies.
“Your Worship, it is true that I used to hire taxis together with ladies of the night and enjoy ourselves at places like Birchenough Bridge and local lodges here in Chipinge. When we broke into shops, we used to target cash boxes together with my friend. We would smash them open before collecting the cash. We were also known for drinking expensive beer because our ladies also liked that beer.
“I am begging for leniency because I am employed as a tout. I resorted to unlawful entry into shops because senior touts were in the habit of harassing us and collecting the lion’s share of the day’s takings,” he said.
Prosecuting, Ms Edith Phiri said between April and July, Mtetwa together with his friend destroyed rooftops of shops using iron bars to gain entry.
“The accused broke into Musasi Bottle Store and stole $779 before vanishing from the scene. He also pounced on Spotlight Store and stole $70 as well as a 750ml of Amarula and two pints of lager.
“On June 14, the accused removed an electrical bulb at Chinheya Store before breaking the rooftop where he stole groceries.
“He also broke into Sanyo Bottle Store and Yadzonzai Night Club at Gaza Township where he stole spirits and a cash box containing $600.
“The accused was arrested after detectives got a tip-off from informers to the effect that he together with his friend was behind the unlawful entry cases reported in Chipinge. The accused was arrested on Monday and he admitted to all the charges levelled against him. He also demonstrated how he broke into the shops,” she said.
In sentencing him, Mr Ngeshiwa said Mtetwa’s behaviour was inclined to an adult’s behaviour.
He said he was not remorseful when he was being cross-examined by the State, hence a custodial sentence was appropriate for this case.
“Your behaviour of hiring ladies of the night and pampering them with proceeds of theft is usually done by grown-ups.
Normally the courts are lenient when dealing with juveniles, but in this case the accused is facing a serious offence considering that it was now his habit of breaking into shops,” he said.
Mtetwa was sentenced to 12 years in prison and the other three were set aside on condition that he did not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
