MBABANE – Two men are to begin serving their sentence without an option of a fine after self-confessing to having stolen over E2000 foodstuffs in a shop to quench their hunger.
Thando Masinga (21) and Mbuso Kunene (28) of Majotini appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court facing a housebreaking and theft charge.
According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on June 22, 2025 when Masinga and Kunene unlawfully and intentionally broke into a shop belonging to Gcebile Dlamini in the Majotini area of the Hhohho Region, stealing primarily foodstuffs, valued at a total of E2,195.
The list of the stolen items, include 2 x 500g Wors, 2 x 1kg sugar, 3 x 70kg rice, 1 x 500g honey, 5 x 1kg milk, 6 x 10 packs of cigarettes, 7 x 1lt liquid fruit, 8 x 70g noodles, 9 x 14 x smoking sizzlers, 10 x 2 x 250ml red bull drinks, 11 x 6 x Cherokee buns, 12 x 4 x lollypops, 13 x 2 x pear fruits, 14 x 1 x 500ml liquid fruit juice, 15 x 1 x power bank, 16 x 1 x cell phone, and 17 x 1kg head and feet.
Today, the duo was sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine by Senior Mbabane Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati.
Pronouncing a guilty verdict, Vilakati said the court heard compelling testimony that the pair claimed desperate hunger as their primary motive for the crime, asserting they were “only after food.”
Vilakati questioned the accused about their actions, prompting a confession of their dire circumstances.
Masinga, in his testimony, revealed that he became a prime suspect because he had visited the very shop targeted the day prior, seeking food. When confronted by authorities, he readily admitted his involvement and disclosed the identity of his accomplice, Mbuso Kunene, leading to their subsequent arrest and appearance in court.
Vilakati, while acknowledging their stated motive, delivered a stern message to the duo and the community at large, condemning the crime.
He said it was the court’s duty to uphold the law and protect property rights.
“With this sentence, the court is sending a clear message and it is our hope that the time you will spend in prison will make you realize the gravity of your wrong actions,” he said, stressing that such criminal acts, regardless of the claimed motivation, cannot be tolerated.
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