BULAWAYO – A Bulawayo man pleaded guilty to 11 counts of unlawful entry and theft from different homes in the city’s Cowdray Park suburb.
Thembinkosi Ndlovu, 29, a resident of the populous suburb, recently appeared before West Commonage Magistrate Shepherd Munjanja charged with the offences.
The value of the stolen property was estimated to be over ZW$1 million.
The complainants in the cases were listed as Choice Sibanda, Bhebhe Liga, Alois Mugoba, Nkanyiso Sibanda, Thubelihle Moyo, Clemence Kadungwe, Lesley Mpofu, Esau Sithole, Clive Shombore, Loryne Ndlovu and Mandla Moyo.
Court heard that the crimes were committed between April 12 and December 12 last year.
In committing the crimes, court was told, Ndlovu would use an unspecified object to gain entry into various homes to steal the property.
Prosecutor Denmark Chihombe said Ndlovu stole an assortment of property which include plasma televisions, a coffee table, a wardrobe, TV stand, laptops, sewing machine, cell phones, cash and 24 voltage solar batteries.
He also stole a four-plate stove, 110w solar panels, blankets, gas tank, small speakers, amplifier, satellite dish and cooking oil, amongst other things.
Police acted on a tip-off by some members of the public to arrest Ndlovu and also recover some of the stolen property.
Ndlovu told the court he stole the property to raise R8,000 for his sick father’s medical bills.
He said his father was admitted at a hospital in Thembisa, South Africa.
