BULAWAYO – A 13-year-old Bulawayo boy who had just finished writing his Grade 7 final exams admitted in court on Monday to stealing US$1,500 and R1,500 — savings his mother had been putting aside to buy a residential stand — before going on a reckless spending spree with an accomplice. The minor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Magistrate Richard Ramaboea at Tredgold Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded guilty to theft. The National Prosecuting Authority said the teenager stole the money on September 16, 2025, from the family home in Mahatshula North.
After taking the cash, he teamed up with a friend and the two blew the savings on new clothes, gaming sessions and drinks at a local bar known as Hashtag. The offence came to light when the boy’s mother noticed the money was missing. Although police later recovered the plastic bag the cash had been stored in, no money was recovered.
Magistrate Ramaboea remanded the teen in custody at Percy Ibbotson Juvenile Centre. He is expected back in court on December 13 for sentencing.
