Africa-Press – Eswatini. A member of a syndicate has been busted with clothes stolen from five prominent shops while in a public toilet at the Mbabane Bus Rank.
It is said that Thandukukhanya Msibi left the shops with the stolen clothes after he removed the magnets attached to them, such that they were not detected by electronic devices installed at the doors. Information gathered was to the effect that Msibi was caught unawares, while packing the clothes in a plastic bag inside the restroom. It was gathered that Msibi was noticed by police officers, who became suspicious when they saw the quantity of the clothes, with different labels. Acting on the suspicion, it is said that the officers of the law took Msibi to the Mbabane Police Post for questioning. During the investigation, it is said that Msibi informed the police officers that the clothes were stolen from Edgars, The Fix Shop, Century Fashion, Mr Price and Power Factory. Information gathered was that the police officers called the shops’ representatives, who positively identified the clothes as their property.
Arrested
Msibi was subsequently arrested and charged with five counts of shoplifting. He appeared at the Mbabane National Court. Asked how he managed to leave the secured shops with the clothes undetected, Msibi told the court that he had an art of removing the magnet from the clothes, so that they could not be detected by the security device at the door. Asked to demonstrate how he stole the clothes, he submitted that he took the clothes and removed the magnets attached, so that he could leave the security door without being noticed. He stated that he tied the clothes with a belt around his waist before leaving the shops. “I was working hand-in-hand with my colleague whom I also found in the business of stealing, using the same modus operandi. However, my colleague fled the scene leaving me in trouble,” he told the court.
The Court President, Two Minutes Shongwe, asked Msibi how he would feel if the shops’ employees lost their jobs just because of his deeds. “Recently, the King emphasised the need for job creation, so that more emaSwati could be employed and improve the economy. It is disappointing that you stole the stock which keeps some emaSwati employed in these establishments. Are you aware that theft is a threat to investment as no investor will be interested in establishing a business where there is crime?” Shongwe asked Msibi.
Sentenced
Msibi was sentenced to eight months imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E800 in each of the five counts. This meant that he had to part with E4 000 to gain his liberation. It was gathered that the E4 000 was raised and paid in a few minutes after Msibi had made calls. The court president warned Msibi that he would be booked in prison should he appear in the same court charged with the same offences in future. On another note, Shongwe advised the shop owners and the police to form an alliance aimed at curbing shoplifting in the shops. He said the alliance would assist in formulating new strategies to curb crime in the shops.
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