Mbabane – Mluleki Mazibuko, 33, from Dlangeni, appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court after stealing property from another patient at Mbabane Government Hospital on Friday.
Mazibuko was charged with taking items belonging to Welile Khumalo, valued at E700. The stolen property included a wallet worth E80, a SwaziBank card valued at E100, an Eswatini ID card worth E300, a Jet card priced at E10, an OK Foods card valued at E30, and cash totaling E180. The Crown recommended that Mazibuko compensate Khumalo for the loss.
In his defense, Mazibuko asked for leniency and expressed remorse for his actions. He told the court he was in a desperate situation, saying he was “very needy” and that his children depended entirely on him. He noted that his eldest child, currently in Form 3, could be adversely affected by his arrest, particularly as school fees were still unpaid.
Mazibuko also claimed that he sustained injuries during his arrest and expressed a willingness to repay the complainant once he could secure the funds.
The court took his circumstances into account and sentenced him to pay a fine of E1,000 or serve 10 months in prison if he fails to pay.
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