The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, September 30, 1966 — Thomas Anania Ndlovu (36) was sentenced to a total of 15 years’ jail when, at the Regional Court, Bulawayo, yesterday, he was convicted of four counts of theft, assault with intent to do grievous body harm, and attempted murder.

Ndhlovu, who is a member of a gang of four Africans who hit a night watchman unconscious and left him in the bush with his hands tied behind his back and a sack pulled over his head and body, is to serve 10 years — five years on three counts are to run concurrently.

He admitted he was a member of a gang that broke into the Waterford Bottle Store after attacking the night watchman on July 15. The night watchman, Mr Peter Mhlanga, was saved by a passerby. He had head injuries and a broken rib.

His wrists were tied together with wire. Liquor, food, clothing and other articles valued at £160 were stolen from the bottlestore, Mr Ernest Bottimer told the court. Only £3 worth of the stolen goods had been recovered. Ndhlovu was also charged with breaking into the Glengarry Bottle Sore on April 12, 1965. Liqour and foodstuffs valued at £41 7s were stolen.

A senior police officer, Detective Superintendent Robert Albert Hedges, told the magistrate, Mr DM Close, That 34 bottlestores were broken into in Bulawayo between July 1, 1966.

Superintendent Hedges said liquor valued at more than £2 400 had been stolen. Only £94 worth of liquor had been recovered.

Ndhlovu pleaded guilty to stealing two cars which the gang used on the nights of July 14 and August 3, when they attacked a night watchman at the Hilltop Store, Essexvale Road.

Although he pleaded guilty to all charges during the trial, he later changed his pleas on the assault and attempted murder charges.

When the trial started he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.