Thieving hungry woman sentenced 210 hours

News
A 32-YEAR-OLD thieving woman from Victoria Falls told the court on Monday that she stole some food items left in a parcel counter at a leading supermarket because she was on HIV medication and had gone for three days without food.

A 32-YEAR-OLD thieving woman from Victoria Falls told the court on Monday that she stole some food items left in a parcel counter at a leading supermarket because she was on HIV medication and had gone for three days without food.

BY Nokuthaba Dlamini

Thandiwe Gumbo of Chinotimba high-density suburb made the confession when she appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje charged with stealing Bridget Banda’s parcels.

The incident occurred on February 6 at one of the leading supermarkets in the resort town.

gavel-2

“l am a single mother of two minor children and I am unemployed. The reason, I stole was because we had gone for three days without food and the children were dying because they are also on HIV medication like me so I felt stealing was the only option,” Gumbo said in mitigation.

“I then walked to OK Supermarket where l saw a plastic bag by the parcel counter and a box of pizza and chicken and l stole.”

The court heard that Gumbo was spotted by a security guard at the premises and was arrested while walking away from the parcel counter with the stolen goods valued at $79,55.

She was ordered to perform 210 hours of community service at Chamabondo Primary School.