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Munyaradzi Doma in Zvishavane
AN unrepentant Zvishavane ex-convict, who had just been released from jail, will spend another eight months behind bars for stealing from a Good Samaritan who had offered him food and accommodation. Davis Khumalo (18) of Mazvihwa communal lands pleaded not guilty to one count of theft when he appeared before Zvishavane resident magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja last Friday. Mr Mjanja, however, convicted Khumalo due to overwhelming evidence and sentenced him to six months in prison.

He added a further two months that had been suspended in Khumalo’s previous conviction. The State, led by prosecutor Mr Tinashe Maponde, told the court that on October 31, around 7am, Dereck Gumbo was at Mandava Bus Terminus in Zvishavane when he was approached by Khumalo, who wanted assistance. The accused confided in Gumbo that he had just been released from prison and was hungry. Gumbo, the court heard, took Khumalo to his house in Eastlea suburb, where he gave him food and accommodation for the night.

At around 6pm, the two then went to Mandava Bus Terminus, where Mr Gumbo boarded a bus to Mataga Growth Point, in Mberengwa . The court heard that Khumalo went back to Mr Gumbo’s house, where he found Mr Gumbo’s drunken father and stole Gumbo’s clothes during the night. Gumbo’s father discovered the theft in the morning and made a formal police report, leading to Khumalo’s arrest.