THE State yesterday made an application for the extradition of Mahlathini Mpofu of Plumtree who is wanted in South Africa on charges of housebreaking and stealing a car and goods worth R500 000 at A-Z Electrical Contractor. MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
The regional prosecutor-in-charge Admire Chikwaya made the submission before regional magistrate Merylene Mutshina, who set the matter for December 3.
Allegations against Mpofu, who was an MPC Security Company employee in South Africa, are that on February 26 he broke into the premises of A-Z Electrical Contractor in South Africa and stole a Mazda B22 and various goods worth R500 000 while on duty guarding the premises.
Mpofu reportedly broke the plastic roof, front door and back door lock of the building to gain access. After the burglary, he fled from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
It is the State’s case that on the same day at around 5am, the manager of the company, Andrew Ndlovu, realised that there was burglary and alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS) who investigated the case in conjunction with the Zimbabwean police, leading to Mpofu’s arrest.
The State heard that Mpofu used Sifiso Vincent Mthethwa’s South African identity particulars by affixing his photograph on the document.
Most of the stolen goods were recovered at his family homestead in Plumtree.
His Uncle, Sibanele Mpofu, who used to work with Mahlathini, confirmed that Mpofu was the one with the name Sifiso Vincent Mthethwa.
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His testimony was supported by MPC Security manager Ndlovu.
In mitigation, Mpofu asked the court to finalise the case in Zimbabwe.
“Your worship, I ask that my case be finalised here in Zimbabwe and not in South Africa because I am afraid to be made to confess to the crimes I did not commit,” Mpofu said.
“I would also like to tell the court that I used the name Sifiso Mthethwa because people were failing to pronounce Mahlathini properly. I did not do it with the intent of committing fraud,” Mpofu said.
He lashed at his uncle saying he came all the way from South Africa to give false testimony against him.
“Can you tell this honourable court what you came here for because what you are saying is null and void? I am failing to understand you because you are testifying lies wena mdala (you old man). This is what you came here for, all the way from South Africa to testify?” Mpofu said.
In his submissions, Chikwaya said South Africa was a designated country where Mpofu could be extradited to.
“The offences the accused is facing are not of a political nature as provided in terms of 15 (1) of (the) Extradition Act (Chapter 9: 08) and he would therefore not be in danger of being subjected to torture,” reads part of the application.
“Wherefore, the applicant prays for an order for the extradition of the accused to South Africa for trial on house breaking and theft, and theft of a motor vehicle,” it reads.
