A 44-YEAR-OLD Victoria Falls man admitted in court last Friday that he stole a handbag from a local supermarket’s parcel counter in order to sell it and raise bus fare to flee his nagging wife.
By Nokuthaba Dlamini
Mayford Neta of Chinotimba high-density suburb pleaded guilty to the theft charge when he appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate, Rangarirai Gakanje.
Prosecutor Takunda Ndovorwi told the court that on April 4, Neta stormed a parcel counter at one of the resort town’s leading supermarkets and stole a handbag containing two pairs of jean trousers, three blouses, two sets of underwear, a purse and national identity card belonging to Nonhlanhla Hobane from Bulawayo.
Hobane discovered that her handbag was missing and immediately reported the matter to the security guard who checked on the shop’s cameras and noticed Neta carrying it away. The matter was reported to police, leading to Neta’s arrest.
In mitigation, Neta told the court he committed the offence to fundraise for his trip away from his “troublesome wife”.
“I intentionally took her bag so that I sell her things to get bus fare to my rural home. My wife and her sister are always assaulting me and chasing me away from my own house that I bought before marrying her. I wanted to leave town and stay at my (rural) homestead, so that I am able to teach my children as they have stopped going to school,” he said.
Neta was remanded in custody for sentence today.
