Melody Baya, Court Reporter
A MAN from Malindela suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for converting to his own use $2,400 acquired from selling his friend’s 30 sheep.
Jotham Nyathi, 61, of Phakama Township in Gwanda asked his friend Promise Moyo, 40, to sell his sheep in Bulawayo, but now regrets the decision as he never got a cent.
The court heard that Moyo, having sold the sheep converted the money to his own use.
Moyo pleaded guilty to a theft charge before Western Commonage magistrate Tancy Dube.
“I do admit to the charge. I sold the sheep and raised the expected profit which I spent on different occasions,” said Moyo.
Dube jailed Moyo to an effective 15 months in jail.
“Six months are going to be suspended on condition that you do not commit a similar offence involving theft in the next five years.
“Another nine months are suspended on the condition you restitute the complainant,” said Dube.
Moyo is supposed to restitute his friend $2,400, the amount realised from selling the sheep.
Prosecuting, Kenneth Shava, said on March 18, Nyathi gave Moyo 30 sheep at his rural home in Gwanda.
“The complainant and the accused calculated and agreed that the sheep would raise a profit of $2,400 which accused person was supposed to hand over after selling. The accused person took the sheep to Bulawayo and he converted the money to his own use,” said Shava.
The prosecutor said the total value stolen is $2,400 and nothing was recovered.