MBABANE – A 24-year-old woman from Hlatikhulu, Siphesihle Simelane, has been sentenced to perform 36 hours of community service after being found guilty of theft at Pep Stores in Mbabane.
Simelane was arrested after stealing cosmetic and clothing items valued at E222.96, which belonged to a customer, Nana Mkhabela. The stolen goods included three Even Lovely Tone creams priced at E59.99 each, a Glyco Oli Glycerine worth E29.99, a Styling Gel Edges priced at E32.99, and a pair of pink shorts valued at E99.99.
When she appeared before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, Simelane pleaded guilty to the charge. Asked by the court to explain her actions, she said she had used another person’s money and decided to buy items for her child instead.
In her plea for leniency, Simelane told the court that she was a first-time offender who acted out of desperation and not with criminal intent. She asked for forgiveness and promised not to repeat the offence.
Magistrate Vilakati noted that the court had taken into consideration her cooperation, her guilty plea, and the absence of prior convictions. However, he stated that theft is a serious offence and cannot be taken lightly, regardless of the small value of the stolen items.
He then sentenced Simelane to perform 36 hours of community service at the Mbabane Magistrates Court. The court ordered that the service begin immediately, and her duties will include cleaning windows, mopping floors, and scrubbing toilets within the courthouse premises.
Magistrate Vilakati told Simelane that the punishment was meant to teach her a lesson and deter her from engaging in similar conduct in future. All the stolen items were recovered and presented as evidence during the court proceedings.
Discussion about this post