A 25-year-old man from Kuwadzana Extension, Harare, named Bright Makuvatsine, recently faced the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of th3ft and illegal possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred on June 28 2024, shortly before 9 PM, when a couple was involved in a serious car accident on Bulawayo Road, near Sogo Service Station in Whitehouse, Harare.
As the couple received help, Makuvatsine was among a group of bystanders offering assistance. Unfortunately, his intentions turned opportunistic as he seized the moment to commit th3ft.
While helping the accident victims, Makuvatsine allegedly grabbed a satchel belonging to the couple, which contained several personal items, including a 9mm Sarsilmaz pistol.
This act of th3ft, especially involving a firearm raised concerns about safety and trust during emergencies.
Following the theft, the police launched an investigation, hoping to track down the culprit. Their efforts paid off on August 23 2024, when they arrested Makuvatsine at the Kuwadzana 6 Shopping Centre, where he was found with the st0len firearm.
During the investigation, authorities noted that, in addition to being the thi3f, Makuvatsine had also assisted in recovering some of the st0len items.
Ultimately, Makuvatsine was sentenced to 12 months in prison for th3ft, with four months suspended, meaning he would serve eight months unless he complied with the terms of his sentencing.
Additionally, he was fined US$300 for unlawful possession of the firearm, with a four-month prison sentence as a default if he failed to pay the fine.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
