Jail time for stealing court property

A security guard employed by the Judicial Services Commission was slapped with a 36-months jail sentence for stealing building material worth $18 000 from the court.

Gift Dirikwi (56), who was stationed at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, was convicted on his own guilty plea by Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo last week.

By stealing the building materials, Dirikwi contravened Section 113 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

After sentencing Dirikwi to 36 months imprisonment, Ms Gumbo suspended six months for the next five years on condition of good behaviour. Dirikwi will therefore serve an effective 30 months in jail.

Prosecuting, Mr John Munyurwa said sometime in April, Dirikwi took advantage of his night duty deployment at Mutare Magistrates’ Court and stole seven FLM doors and a 20-litre bucket of PVC white paint from the administration block.

He sold the stolen items to Gift Sakutukwa, Gladys Chinguruwe, Sandra Shiridzinomwa and Jephias Mudyanadzo.

Thinking that he had gotten away with the theft, on the night of May 12, Dirikwi went to the administration block again and stole two BP iron sheets.

He was, however, intercepted by police officers who were on patrol, thereby leading to his arrest. All the stolen items were recovered after investigations were conducted. The total value of the stolen property was $18 302,02.