Two Sinomine Bikita Minerals workers convicted of stealing property worth US$350 from their employer told a court they did so to supplement their meagre salaries.
Gift Mashingise, 33, and Chris Bvukai, 27, were found guilty of stealing two mountain bicycles, eight boxes of A4 bond paper and a canvas tent.
Prosecutor Tonderai Simbi told the court that on 27 September 2026, the pair climbed over the security fence at the company’s old plant warehouse and stole the goods.
They took them to a tuckshop at Glen, where they were arrested after a tip-off to Bikita Minerals security officer Edmore Mandevere, who was on mobile patrol with other officers. All the property was recovered.
When asked why they stole, the two said their wages were too little to look after their families, and they had intended to sell the items.
Bikita Magistrate Diana Masiyiwa sentenced each to 12 months in prison. She suspended five months and commuted the remaining seven months to 275 hours of community service.
The pair, who are first-time offenders, will serve the community service at Mangondo Secondary School in Bikita.
More: Masvingo Mirror
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