Age saves wire thief jail

Mwenezi (Masvingo Star-New Ziana) -A 72 year-old Mwenezi man has his age to thank for not going to jail after he was convicted of removing the perimeter fence of a fellow villager’s field and using it to reinforce his cattle kraal.

Obert Hange of Village 4, Lapache, Chief Maranda in Mwenezi pleaded guilty to stealing his neighbour’s barbed wire when he appeared before Mwenezi magistrate Honest Musiiwa.

The State’s case against Hange was that on September 10 this year, he proceeded to Tinashe Chikondere’s field and cut 2 x 30 meter lengths of barbed wire valued at $150 which was fencing the field.

Hange took the wire and proceeded to fence his kraal.

Chikondere soon discovered the offence and he followed Hange’s footprints along a path leading to his home where he recovered his wire from the kraal after which he reported the matter to the police.

Hange was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment but the magistrate conditionally wholly suspended the prison term for five years.

Charles Masawi prosecuted.

Masvingo Star/New Ziana