Ntobizodwa Dlamini was found guilty of theft. Dlamini made her first court appearance on 9 October at the Midrand Branch Court. Addressing the court, Prosecutor Mashudu Mutshaeni said the accused was arrested on 7 October, after she was found in possession of stolen items at Mr Price store, Mall of Africa. The value of the five stolen items was R579.00.
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Dlamini pleaded guilty from the onset. Defense attorney told the court to have mercy in sentencing the accused. The attorney pointed that there was no actual loss for the store as the stolen items were recovered.
On personal circumstances of the accused, the attorney pointed that the 32-year-old single mother of three was unemployed. Her source of income was social grants.
The attorney also said the complainants in the matter took the law into their own hands. He said the accused was allegedly assaulted by the two staff members of the store and the security. The attorney said a fine or a wholly suspended was appropriate.
Dlamini was fined R500 or 10 days imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years. Delivering the sentence, the magistrate said shoplifting left stores with a huge economic loss. The magistrate also noted that pleading guilty to the charge was a sign of remorse from the accused.
