Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Crimes & Courts Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Two men employed as caretakers have appeared before the Tredgold Magistrates’ Court in Bulawayo facing charges of unlawful entry into premises and theft following a house break-in in Umguza.
The accused are Malvin Ndlovu (25) of Ndlovu Nswazi homestead in Esigodini and Marvellous Sibanda (24) of Sithuthukile Homestead in Mbembesi. They are jointly charged with unlawfully entering a dwelling house and stealing property valued at US$159.
The alleged offence occurred on 22 December 2025 at around midday at Plot 31 Maximill, Ntabazinduna, Umguza. The house belongs to Vimbai Shumba (48), an unemployed resident of the area.
It is alleged that the two accused persons, who were employed as caretakers at Plot 56, Imbesu, Umguza, forcefully gained entry into the complainant’s house by breaking open a padlock using an unknown object. The court heard that they allegedly acted in common purpose.
Once inside the premises, the accused are said to have stolen several household items, including a SY-977 speaker box, a Huawei cellphone, two Itel cellphones, a black Oking cellphone, and eight Starbrands, all belonging to the complainant.
The complainant later recovered most of her property after receiving information from the accused persons’ employer, Mr Soneni Maseko. A search of the accused persons’ room reportedly led to the recovery of property valued at US$155, with only the eight Starbrands still outstanding.
The court was told that the accused persons were not related to the complainant and had no lawful authority to enter the premises or take the property. It was further alleged that they acted unlawfully and intentionally.
The matter is being heard in terms of Section 131(1)(a) as read with Section 131(2)(e) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act (Chapter 9:23), which relates to unlawful entry into premises and theft.
The case is still before the courts, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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