Zimpapers Logo

Amanda Chikari Midlands Reporter
A 27-year-old gold panner from Gweru has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing four signal lights worth $20 000 from the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). Norbert Mavingire of Ascot Infill, Gweru, appeared before Midlands provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing one count of theft. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mavingire said he was a gold panner and did not know that the NRZ signal lights used in making aluminium pots carried so much value. Mrs Msipa sentenced him to six years in prison.

“The accused is sentenced to six years in prison,” she said. “One year sentence is suspended on condition he pays restitution of $15 000 to the complainant before December 30. Effectively, the accused is sentenced to five years in prison.”

Prosecutor Mr Andrew Marimo said on September 25 at around 2am, Mavingire and his accomplice, who is still at large, gained entry into the Nhala NRZ site in Gweru.

“The accused person’s accomplice went on to climb on the signal pole and removed one signal light before he instructed the accused to do the same,” he said.

The court heard that Mavingire was caught red-handed while on top of a pole trying to remove the signal light, leading to his arrest, while his accomplice fled from the scene. Mr Marimo said investigations were carried out and it was discovered that a total of four signal lights had been stolen from different poles. Of the lights worth $20 000 stolen, one worth $5 000 was recovered.