Hlangabeza Mabhula, a 46-year-old man residing in Maribha Village, faced justice before the Zvishavane Magistrates Court.
Known by multiple aliases, including Benjamin Kutira and Joseph Moyo, Mabhula was implicated in a theft case involving a stolen vehicle, culminating in a custodial sentence indicative of the court’s commitment to deterring crime.
The crime took place on the night of November 5, 2024, when Mabhula audaciously targeted the complainant’s parked Toyota Funcargo, marking the beginning of a series of reckless choices that would ultimately lead to his arrest.
On that fateful evening, the complainant parked his vehicle securely near his bedroom window and ensured all safety measures were observed, including locking the doors and taking the keys inside.
However, the sense of security that the complainant had fostered was shattered around 3 AM. Dressed ominously in a balaclava and gloves, Mabhula initiated a calculated break-in, forcibly opening the locked doors of the Toyota.
In a desperate attempt to steal the vehicle, he managed to start it without the keys, causing damage to the ignition system in the process. Such brazen behavior speaks volumes about the lengths to which criminals are willing to go to satisfy their illicit desires.
The complainant, awakened by the unexpected noise of the engine, acted swiftly to confront the situation. Peeking through his window, he observed Mabhula reversing the vehicle, and instinctively rushed outside to retrieve his property.
In a brave yet impulsive move, he hurled a stone behind the car’s rear wheel, successfully stopping the vehicle before Mabhula could escape.
However, the situation escalated when the thief exited the car brandishing a kitchen knife, charging at the complainant. The threat forced the complainant to flee, but this act of cowardice would not mark the end of Mabhula’s criminal endeavors that night.
Through the power of community involvement and collaboration, bystanders played a crucial role in apprehending Mabhula near Mandava Cemetery.
The rapid response underscores the importance of vigilant and active civic participation in combating crime. Law enforcement arrived shortly after, and Mabhula’s possession of stolen goods and various tools of the trade , including a balaclava, a kitchen knife, a table knife, a makeshift screwdriver, and an okapi knife painted a clear picture of his intentions.
His inventory of stolen items reinforced the narrative of premeditated crime, with the tools suggesting a calculated plan to carry out further illegal activities.
In light of his actions, the court sentenced Mabhula to a total of six years in prison for the theft of the car, imposing a two-year suspension.
This means he is set to serve an effective four years behind bars, a decision indicative of the judiciary’s stance against theft and related offenses.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Mabhula was also fined USD 200 or faced an additional two months in jail for possession of articles for criminal use.
