Brian Chiwanza

The Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday jailed Motimpana Mahula of Tsoloane for 18 months after finding him guilty of robbing a fellow villager of M100.

The mugging took place in Ha-Makhalanyane in August this year.

Mahula told Magistrate Masupha Kao that he robbed Tebatso Chaba of the money because he was drunk. The 20-year-old was first before the court in September and released on M300 bail.

However, when he reappeared before the court on Wednesday, the magistrate sent him down, after noting robbery is a serious crime no-matter the value of what is being forcibly taken.

“The amount robbed may be small, but robbery, in itself, is a very serious offense. People who rob take everything  they find and not just the amount they need.

“It follows that if the complainant had been in possession of a three-digit sum of money, the accused would have taken it. Accordingly, the sentence should not be restricted to the amount robbed,” Magistrate Kao said.

In mitigation for a lenient sentence, Motimpana had told the court: “I would like the court to be merciful because  the day after this incident, I met the complainant and told him I would repay his money. My parents have since died and I am alone at home. This thing happened when I was drunk so I am asking the court for a lenient sentence because the reasons I have just mentioned.”