BY WANDILE TSHUMA
A Dete teenager has been convicted of breaking into a local shop and stealing goods and cash worth US$131.
Artwell Ncube, 18, of Lupote in Dete, was found guilty of aggravated unlawful entry by the Hwange Magistrates Court.
According to court records, Ncube used an unknown object to open the locked shop door between May 20 and 25, 2025. Once inside, he stole groceries, airtime, and US$50 in cash.
The shop owner unexpectedly returned to the premises on May 25 at midnight and found Ncube inside. The teenager fled, leaving some stolen items behind.
A subsequent police investigation led to Ncube’s arrest. Property worth US$31 was recovered.
Ncube was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he repays ZWG3 516.04 to the complainant within six months and performs 110 hours of community service at Lupote Clinic which he started on Wednesday.
