MBABANE – A man who was found riding a stolen bicycle after residents circulated information about a break-in at a Kupheleni homestead has been sentenced to pay a fine of E3,000 or serve 15 months in prison.
The accused Thabiso Sigadla Mnisi appeared before Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed on or about April 15, 2024, at Kupheleni in the Hhohho Region. The accused unlawfully broke into the home of Khumbulile Dlamini and stole property worth E 5,200.00
The stolen items were a Red Rhino brushcutter valued at E2,200, a grey and black Infinity bicycle valued at E2,500, and a black decoder valued at E500.
Testifying before the court, Khumbulile Dlamini told the court that she discovered the theft after returning home from work. She said she attempted to connect a decoder but realised it was missing.
Dlamini said she then noticed that a window handle was swinging and immediately suspected that something was wrong. She proceeded to the main house where her grandmother, Khumbulile Dlamini, lived.
“I tried to look around and realised that the window handle was swinging and that something was not normal,” she told the court.
Upon entering the house, she discovered that a bicycle and a brushcutter were missing. She told the court that the sitting room door had been left unlocked by children before the incident.
Police were called to the scene and recorded a statement.
The court heard that family members and residents shared information about the stolen items throughout the community in an effort to trace them.
Dlamini testified that the accused was eventually seen riding the stolen bicycle, prompting residents to alert the police. The bicycle was identified by the accused’s brother, Sithembiso Zwane.
“We spread the news around the community until the accused was found and seen riding the bicycle and police were called,” she said.
When asked by the Crown whether any of the stolen property had been recovered, Dlamini said the bicycle had been recovered and that she had only recently learned that the brushcutter had also been found.
She further confirmed that she had never given anyone permission to enter the home or take any of the items.
The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. After his legal rights were explained, he elected to remain silent.
During mitigation, he asked the court for leniency, saying he was unemployed and struggled to find work because he lacked education.
“It pains me that I am standing in the accused dock. I plead for leniency when passing a sentence,” he said.
The accused told the court that difficult circumstances had contributed to his actions. He also said he had cooperated with police and had children who depended on him for support.
After considering the evidence and the guilty plea, Magistrate Nxumalo sentenced him to pay a fine of E3,000 or serve 15 months’ imprisonment.
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