Five years in the slammer for phone theft
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday October 18, 2022 06:00
Principal Magistrate Gofaone Morweng ruled when sentencing the thief, Kabelo Magashula: "Offences of this nature are a menace to society and surely it will be in the best interest of justice that those who commit similar offences be rooted out from the society." The background of the matter is that back in December, Magushula attacked his victim at knifepoint and relieved him of his cellphone and P3,500 in cash.
Magashula attacked his victim just outside a drinking spot in Lobatse. The next morning, in an attempt to sell the particular cellphone, lady luck was not on his side as his first client happened to be the brother to his victim.
"He decided to go to Lobatse Bus Rank where he met Kaone Kgosi and offered to sell it (phone) to him for P600 as he wanted to 'profit' from its sale. During the alleged transaction, Kgosi told him that the particular cellphone belonged to his brother and that it had been stolen.
An argument erupted between them and they ultimately agreed to seek the intervention of authorities at Lobatse Police Station," the Magistrate pointed out when delivering judgment. Magashula attempted to flee but he was later arrested by the police, the court heard.
For his part, Magashula who pleaded not guilty to the offense, told the court that he in fact came into possession of the said cellphone after he bought it from an unknown man at a club. During his testimony Magashula told the court that his alibi was his girlfriend.
"The accused person's defence was that he bought the particular cellphone from an unknown man who was in the club on the particular night. During his cross examination, he detailed that his girlfriend knew about the alleged transaction. He even undertook to avail the alleged girlfriend as his witness.
However, he closed his case without availing the said individual and reasoned that though they were in a relationship he did not know her name, did not have her contact numbers and did not even know where she stayed.
I therefore find that the accused person's testimony was improbable," further reads the court judgement. In the end Magashula was sentenced to five years in prison.