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Unrepentant jailbird back in prison

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BINGA- A man from the Manjolo area in Binga who was released from jail after serving three years and four months for a number of unlawful entry and theft cases was on Thursday jailed for five years and 8 months for similar offenses.

BINGA- A man from the Manjolo area in Binga who was released from jail after serving three years and four months for a number of unlawful entry and theft cases was on Thursday jailed for five years and 8 months for similar offenses. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

Member Mudenda (29) pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful entry and theft when he appeared before Binga resident magistrate Stephen Ndlovu.

The magistrate convicted and sentenced him to five years and brought forward the 8 months suspended on his previous conviction. No part of his sentence was suspended.

The court heard that in September this year, Mudenda went to Ernest Kapombeza’s house at Govera compound where he broke in through the window and stole property worth $289.

Kapombeza discovered the theft at 3am after Mudenda had left the scene and reported the matter to the police.

On October 17 this year, Mudenda was seen selling some of the stolen property by villagers who tipped the police leading to his arrest.

Most of the stolen property was recovered.

In denying the charge, Mudenda said the items were sold to him by someone for $50. But the magistrate said the evidence given by the state witnesses, Kapombeza, and a police Constable Loice Madzore, pointed to him.

Previous records show that Mudenda had once been arrested for 16 counts of unlawful entry and theft and was sentenced to four years.

Eight months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

It is the State case that he was released on June 3 this year and since his release, cases of unlawful entry and theft escalated in Binga, but after his re-arrest they have gone down.

Indications brought to court on Thursday are that during his arrest, he was also found in possession of property stolen in Victoria Falls and he would be taken to the resort town’s court to answer to charges of theft.

Bruce Maphosa prosecuted.