GWERU — An 18-year-old female “Good Samaritan” later turned thief and made off with R900 cash from a woman whose bag she had offered to carry while the latter was attending to her baby.
Hazel Muchatuta was yesterday slapped with a 12-month jail term for theft when she appeared before Gweru magistrate Sithembinkosi Msipa.
She, however, heaved a sigh of relief after the court suspended half of the sentence on condition of good behaviour and the remainder in exchange for 210 hours of community service at Mkoba 1 Police Station.
The court heard on March 16, Muchatuta was in a passport queue together with Locadia Nyathi (20). Muchatuta offered to carry Nyathi’s satchel since the latter was busy strapping her baby on her back.
When Nyathi gave her the nod, Muchatuta ransacked the pockets of the bag and stashed the loot in her pants and bra. After attending to her baby, Nyathi asked for her bag, but immediately discovered the theft.
She conducted a body search on her “Good Samaritan” friend and recovered R800, but could not account for the balance.
Nyathi reported the matter to police, pleading to Muchatuta’s arrest.Michael Mhene prosecuted.
