Tout pleads with magistrate

A TOUT who last week begged the Western Commonage Court to forgive him for stealing a cell phone, has been ordered to restitute its owner R600 or go to jail for three months.

Senzo Ncube (19) of Entumbane suburb was convicted of theft by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment but three mont h s were

suspended on condition that he does not within the next five years commit a similar offence.

The remaining three months were suspended on condition Ncube pays Ms Sarudzai Zhou R600 which is the value of the cellphone he stole.

Magistrate Ndhlovu asked Ncube about his brief experience when he was remanded in custody pending sentencing and he said it had been terrible and tough.

“Please forgive me again, I have now seen for myself that prison life is not good and I have changed,” said a visibly shaken Ncube.

“You are young Senzo, you do not just take other people’s property without working for it.

“Property that comes cheap lands you in trouble. Because you are young Senzo, I believe you are young enough to reform.

“I wanted you to see what prison is. Now, if I send you to prison for a long period you will learn wrong things in jail.” — @andile_tshuma