Man sentenced for robbery in Beitbridge

A Beitbridge man, Aleck Mapita, has been found guilty of robbery and sentenced to a fine of $150 or three months in prison. Additionally, he was given a six-month prison term, with three months suspended.

Mapita was arrested after he and an unidentified accomplice robbed a man and his female companion who were parked along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo road. The pair smashed the car window with a stone, threatened the victims with a knife, and stole R7,000, two Samsung cellphones, and a small brown bag.

With the assistance of nearby quarry workers, the victims managed to apprehend Mapita and recover the stolen items. He was subsequently arraigned before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on robbery charges.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the suspended sentence means that if Mapita commits another crime within the specified period, he will be required to serve the suspended portion of his sentence in addition to any new punishment imposed.