STICKY END FOR HONEY THIEF
34-year-old Obert Marufu found himself in a sticky situation last Tuesday when security officers at Nzano Spar caught him trying to steal 1kg of honey.
His craving for the sweet-stuff then turned increasingly sour for the Zimbabwean, who lost his cool when he heard the guards calling the cops.
Presumably acting out of both fear and anger, Marufu reportedly went on the rampage in the guards’ office, smashing a scanner and destroying a USB stick.
A week later, Marufu was dragged before Francistown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to theft, malicious damage to property and entering Botswana illegally.
He admitted trying to steal Gold Cresta Honey worth P144.95. The illegal immigrant further confessed to damaging a Canon Lide flatbed scanner valued at P2,299 and an HB USB (P149) belonging to Spar store.
The prosecution also revealed Marufu was convicted of theft in May, a crime for which he received a suspended three-year sentence.
It seems he was back to his sticky-fingered ways in no time at all!
Pleading with court not to grant the guilty man bail, Sub Inspector Cecilia Nchochi noted, “He is a foreigner without travelling documents.
“We are not ready with the facts so we are praying for another date. On the 4th of May he was given a three-year suspended sentence but he committed the offence before his sentence has elapsed.”
However, to the amusement of all in court, Marufu maintained he had no memory of the crime.
“Your honour, I’m ill and sometimes forget some things. I suffer from fits and when I fall, I forget everything!”
It was not enough to save him from jail though and Marufu was remanded in custody until 8th July, when he is due back in court for presentation of facts, mitigation and sentence.