The state takes a very firm stand against shoplifting

MALALANE – The first suspect was a 25-year-old woman, Zanelisiwe Skhosana, who was arrested at CAN in Komatipoort for shoplifting. Skhosana was found in possession of five English dictionaries valued at R749, for which she did not pay. She was arrested and charged with theft, a charge which she pleaded guilty to during her appearance.

Skhosana told the court that she had stolen the dictionaries for her three children as she is an unemployed single parent.

“She has acknowledged that she was wrong and has shown remorse by pleading guilty and not wasting the court’s time. Sending her to jail would indirectly also be punishing the children who depend on her,” Legal Aid representative, Adv Reliloe Tsotetsi, submitted in Skhosana’s defence.

Tsotetsi said a suspended sentence would not be a slap on the wrist for the accused, who is a first-time offender, as this sentence would hover over her wherever she goes.

Before handing down his sentencing, Magistrate Lucky Mhlanga, alluded to the seriousness of the charge faced by Skhosana.

He said, “You have been accused of a very serious offence. This has become a very common practice especially here in Malalane. Shoplifting here is rife, clearly cops are not winning the war against shoplifting.”

Skhosana was fined R800 or 80 days imprisonment and an additional R800 or 80 days in jail, suspended for five years, on condition that she is not arrested on the same charge during that period.

The second accused to appear before the court for shoplifting was 39-year-old, Nothando Qwabe, found in possession of stolen goods from Ackerman’s Malalane on the same day as Skhosana. Items recovered during Qwabe’s arrested included amongst others swim wear and children’s clothing, to the value of R534. The court heard that Qwabe had a previous conviction on the same charge from 2006.

When Mhlanga questioned Qwabe what her reason was for being in Malalane on the day of her offence as she lives in KaNyamazane, she told the court that it was to purchase medication for her liver illness.

According to Qwabe, she realised that she didn’t have sufficient funds for the medication and went to Ackermans.

Mhlanga explained the gravity of the charge and in his sentencing referred to Skhosana. He said not a day had gone by the last two weeks, in which the court had not heard shoplifting cases.

“I wanted to consider giving you a wholly suspended sentence. However, because of you was previous conviction on the same charge in the past, you clearly didn’t learn your lesson,” said Mhlanga. Qwabe was fined R600 or 60 days in jail and a further R600 or 60 days imprisonment, suspended for five years.

Both suspects paid their fines and were released.