Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya sentenced Thembalenkosi Ndlovu (26) of Kariangwe Village to two years in prison for stealing a police uniform. This was after Ndlovu had pleaded guilty to charges of impersonating a police officer and unlawful possession of camouflaged uniform.
Magistrate Tashaya imposed a custodial sentence after noting that Ndlovu was a repeat offender who had been previously convicted at the Kadoma Magistrate’s Court on the same charge. In passing judgment, Magistrate Tahwa said:
You are an unrepentant criminal who has a previous conviction under CRB1258 in Kadoma. This is your second time to impersonate a police officer and clearly your conduct tarnishes the image of police.
Wearing a police uniform is a very serious offence, which warrants a custodial sentence. You should therefore be taken out from society before you commit serious crimes in police uniform.
Ndlovu who is a teacher was arrested for stealing his friend’s police uniform so that he could ride on public transport for free. He gave himself away by wearing the uniform together with a civilian belt and timberland boots. Police officers are prohibited from wearing incomplete uniforms. His luck ran out when he boarded a vehicle which was being driven by a former police officer who noted the discrepancies and took him to the police station. Ndlovu tried to flee but was quickly arrested by police officers from ZRP Drill Hall.
More: Daily News
Back to top