Pastor gets 12 months for theft

PIGG’S PEAK – It was ‘judgment day’ for a pastor who was found guilty of stealing four doors valued at E11 412.60.

Ndumiso Mangetse Zwane was charged with theft of horizontal scattered doors, which were in the possession of Musa Ndwandwe. The doors were taken from a nearby construction site where a stadium is being constructed around Buhleni.

Zwane appeared before Magistrate Sakhele Hlophe yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was charged with theft. The theft was committed on August 26, 2021. However, he was out on bail of E5 000 until yesterday when he was found guilty. When the charge was read to him, Zwane pleaded guilty.

Though he admitted to stealing the doors, Zwane told the magistrate that he had bought them from a foreman at the construction site.

Suspect

He said he knew the person and did not suspect that they were stolen. He said he was surprised when police officers contacted him to inform him that he was in the possession of stolen doors.

“I made a mistake to trust someone,” said the pastor. He said the price was also cheaper because the doors were damaged. Zwane also revealed that when the police arrived at his home, they collected the doors and that he was informed that they would be used as exhibits.

He profusely apologised for his actions when he was informed that he had been found guilty as per his plea. He asked the magistrate to be lenient, adding that he was unemployed and that he had dependants to take care of. Further, Zwane told the magistrate that it was the first time he had ever been arrested.

The magistrate wondered why Zwane bought items from the said person and asked if he knew the person. He asked Zwane why he did not make an effort to check why the items were being sold at a low price.

“Next time you should check when you are buying items from a person to ensure that they are not stolen,” he said.

Prior to sentencing, the magistrate also wondered why Zwane was charged with theft. He said from the explanation, it was clear that the charge should not have been theft.

The magistrate said Zwane should have been charged with the offence of being found with stolen goods.

Zwane was sentenced to one year in prison and he was given the option of paying E2 000. However, the sentence was wholly suspended for a period of three years.

This meant that Zwane did not have to pay a fine and was released, but warned not to commit a similar offence during the suspension period.