Lameck Tikiza of Kuwadzana South was found guilty on his own plea when he appeared before Mbare magistrate Tendai Rusinahama.
According to the state, sometime in 2007, Tikiza was given Farirai Nguwani’s motor vehicle for safekeeping by her husband who is now late. He removed some parts including an alternator, carburettor, distributor, drive shaft, two wheels, wiper-arms and a windscreen worth US$925 and sold them.
Tikiza initially told the court that the parts were stolen in 2007 at his former residence where he had left the car and had reported the matter to police at a Kuwadzana base. He later changed his statement to say he only discovered the theft in 2010 when Nguwani inquired about the car after her husband’s death.
He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for six months on condition he pays Nguwani US$925 before 31 October 2012.Tikiza had initially offered to pay the money within one year six months since he was unemployed, had no savings and no assets of value..
The married father of six said he is a part time driver earning $10 per day. He was ordered to pay the money in instalments he can afford. Fanuel Madanire prosecuted.
