A SIKHATHINI High School headmaster lost 3 200 pula to two teenage thieves who snatched a jacket from his vehicle after he had entered a shop at Tjankwa business centre in Plumtree to buy refreshments.
The matter came to light after two men Ntuthuko Mseko (19) and Akhiwe Mphathi Nleya (19) appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware last week facing a theft charge.
Maseko pleaded guilty and he was sentenced to an effective 12 months in prison, while Nleya pleaded not guilty of stealing from the school head Dumisani Tsheza.
According to court papers, on July 20 at around 7:30pm, Tsheza parked his vehicle at the business centre and entered a shop to buy a cold drink.
He then went back to his vehicle to fetch some money from his jacket and discovered that it was missing.
The complainant discovered some footprints around the vehicle and teamed up with his colleagues to trace the accused persons.
They apprehended Maseko, who then admitted to committing the offence.
He showed Tsheza where he had hid the jacket.
Tsheza recovered his jacket, searched it and realised that he was only left with 1 770 pula instead of 3 200 pula.
Maseko then implicated Nhleya and confessed that they had shared the money.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the two.
Selestine Madziwa represented the State.