Kwekwe – A member of a notorious gang that specialised in stealing from vehicles has been jailed for 48 months by a Kwekwe magistrate after pleading guilty to the charges.
The gang was busted by police at a local service station, hours after breaking into Juan du Plessis’s Toyota Hilux where they stole laptops and other valuables on June 29 in a nearby car park. Farai Fero pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before magistrate Tendai Muchini, while the other two members of the gang Jabulani Ndlovu (41) and Stephen Mapedzamombe, who denied the charges, were remanded in custody to August 15.
Despite Muchini pleading for mercy with the court as a first-time offender, the magistrate said only a custodial sentence would serve justice.
“He might be a first-time offender, but the precision with which he did his work only means he is a professional at this job,” she said.
“The court will also not lose sight that this is a serious offence and a custodial sentence will do justice in this matter.
“Pleading guilty in this case could have been as a result of overwhelming evidence against the accused and could not be seen as a sign of contrition and saving time, the court will not be moved to consider a fine or community service.”
However, Fero will serve an effective 36 months in prison after 12 were suspended on condition that he does not commit an offence involving theft. Police recovered goods worth $2 300 stolen from du Plessis and two other victims from Gweru
