Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A 20-year-old man from Chitungwiza, Carlos Makore, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being convicted of robbery.
Makore, who is expecting to become a father, claimed that he turned to crime to support his pregnant wife, but his justification did not convince the court.
During his appearance before the Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Court, Makore admitted to stealing a Samsung A52 mobile phone and a wallet containing US$10. He explained his actions, stating,
“I wanted to use the money to buy preparation since my wife is pregnant.”
The Crime
The court heard that on November 8, around midnight, Makore and two accomplices confronted Ngonidzaishe Choruwa along Denga Road in Zengeza. The group restrained Choruwa while Makore took the phone and wallet. Police apprehended Makore two days later, recovering the stolen phone, but the cash was not retrieved. His accomplices remain at large.
The Sentence
Despite his plea for leniency, the magistrate dismissed Makore’s request and sentenced him to 12 months in jail, with two months suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offense within five years.
A Price Too High
Makore’s misguided attempt to provide for his family now means he will miss the birth of his child. While his intentions may have been well-meaning, his actions highlight the futility of turning to crime as a solution to life’s challenges. As he begins his prison sentence, Makore’s case serves as a cautionary tale: there are no shortcuts to responsibility, and crime offers no lasting rewards.
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