Man gets four strokes for stealing food

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday March 20, 2014 11:22

Gofaone Ndebele who resides at Extension 9 in Gaborone pleaded guilty on Monday, to the charge of stealing food at Choppies. He was arrested after he stole a 375ml Pan Sunflower oil costing P10.95, beef econo wors costing P12.70 and cooked goat meat amounting to P9. All the items cost P37.60.

The court learnt that the shop’s security guard; Poloko Keabetswe apprehended Ndebele when he tried to leave the shop with unpaid goods. Upon arrest,  Ndebele claimed that he had paid for the goods, but he failed to present the till slip to prove that he paid for the goods, the court learnt.

In mitigation, Ndebele pleaded with the court to give him a lenient sentence, as he is the breadwinner. He lamented that imprisonment would impact badly on the livelihood of his children, mother and siblings who are still schooling.

Customary court president Dikwalo Monametsi accepted his plea and gave him a minor sentence. Central Police Station constable Themba Jiya confirmed that the accused was a first offender. Monametsi gave him with an eight months suspended sentence and four strokes. He told the accused that the law states that anyone charged with common theft must be sentenced to one year in prison and eight strokes. Monametsi ordered that the goods be returned to Choppies.