An 18-year-ol Zvishavane student has been sentenced to five years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread worth $7 from a neighbour’s house.

Teveraishe Munhangu pleaded guilty to the theft charge but he pleaded for a lesser sentence saying he was a first-time offender and he did it because he was hungry. 

Passing sentence, magistrate Wochiunga castigated the teenager’s behaviour saying thieves should be given stiffer penalties.

“You were expected to be your neighbour’s keeper instead of stealing from her. As a young person, you deserve a stiffer penalty that will deter you from committing other crimes in future.

However his sentence was conditionally suspended

“You are thereby sentenced to five years in prison. However, the sentence is wholly suspended on condition that you do not commit a similar crime in the next five years,” said Wochiunga

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