ZIMBABWE – As the economic crisis continues to bite and sparring no-one, some members of the security forces have resorted to crime to supplement their meagre wages. In a recent embarrassing development for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) a soldier was recently arraigned before the courts for allegedly stealing a 125ml brandy bottle of brandy worth ZWL$ 11.

  from online publication, NewZimbabwe, that Cashington Gumisai (40) recently appeared before Mutare magistrate Prisca Manhibi facing shoplifting charges and was fined ZWL $400.

Gumisai pleaded guilty to the charges. Quizzed why he commited the crime, Gumisai told the court he was forced to steal because he only earns $750 per month.

Your Worship, it was not my intention to steal but my salary is too paltry and I had exhausted it.

Magistrate Prisca Manhibi lashed out at the accused at him for putting members of the security forces to disrepute.

You are a disgrace because you should lead by example. Imagine how the president feels if he heard of such a story.

Prosecutors told the court that on January 25 this year at Pick and Pay supermarket, Gumisai unlawfully took One Star brandy and starched it in his pocket.

He proceeded to the exit point but was arrested by an alert security guard.

Gumisai was searched and One Star brandy was recovered. The officer was later taken to the Mutare Central Police Station.

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