A 26-year-old Dete man has been sentenced to an effective seven months in prison by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court after he was convicted of aggravated unlawful entry and theft at a bottle store in Dingani Shopping Centre.
Tinashe Munsaka appeared before the court facing charges of aggravated unlawful entry.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with part of the sentence suspended.
The court heard that the offence occurred on August 9, 2026.
The complainant, who works as a bar lady, closed the bottle store at Dingani Shopping Centre and went home that night.
When she returned the following morning at around 10am, she discovered that the premises had been broken into.
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Prosecutors told the court that several items were missing, including 10 packs of Fame cigarettes, eight packs of Mint cigarettes, seven bottles of Chibuku Super and 15 200ml bottles of King Stallion Vodka.
After discovering the break-in, the complainant spoke to customers who had been at the bottle store the previous night.
The customers allegedly implicated Munsaka in the offence.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to investigations and Munsaka’s arrest.
The State valued the stolen goods at US$32.50, while items worth US$10 were later recovered.
In sentencing, the magistrate imposed a 12-month prison term.
Four months were suspended for five years on condition that Munsaka remains of good behaviour, while a further month was suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant US$22.50.
He will therefore serve an effective seven months in prison.
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