Keetmanshoop
Two men accused of allegedly stealing and selling their neighbour’s pot made a brief appearance at the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Details before the court are that the two suspects who are both residents of Tseiblaagte, Piet Meintjies, 27, and Reginald Markus, 26, stole a pot valued at N$500 from the neighbour’s house.
Testifying under oath, accused one told the court they had stolen the pot from the neighbour’s house and sold it. He further confessed that both of them were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the theft.
Accused one, an unemployed father of two, admitted in court they had stolen the pot because they were intoxicated. He pleaded with the court not to be sent to jail, but to instead be given an admission of guilt fine to pay.
Accused two also pleaded guilty, saying he and his co-accused were very drunk at the time. He also admitted they took the pot and sold it, but pleaded with the court for an admission of guilt fine instead of jail, as he is employed and has to report for work today (Tuesday).
Asked by State Prosecutor Basson Lilungwe whether they sold the pot to get more money to buy alcohol, the accused replied in the affirmative. This prompted Lilungwe to request that both be fined N$500 each or sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, saying they did not steal the pot to feed themselves, but to quench their thirst.
Magistrate Philanda Christiaan then sentenced them to pay a fine of N$1 000 each, alternatively to spend three months in prison.