A woman has told the court that she was tempted by the devil to steal an ATM card and splurge with it.
She said she needed money to pay school fees for her children.
These sentiments were shared by Delisile Lukhele (46) while pleading for a lenient sentence at the Manzini Magistrates Court.
Lukhele was addressing Magistrate Sebendzile Ndlela yesterday after she and her son, Zakhele Mdluli (26), were convicted of stealing a bank card and using it to make unauthorised purchases.
The duo had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence and were accordingly found guilty as per their own plea.
In mitigation, Lukhele expressed deep remorse, telling the court that she regretted her actions and apologised for the offence. She mentioned that she did not know what came over her, stressing that she believed that she was tempted by the devil since she needed money to pay school fees for her children.
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Mdluli also pleaded for leniency, stating that he was remorseful and that he had a young child who depended on him for support.
Magistrate Ndlela sentenced Lukhele to seven years imprisonment, with an option of a fine of E7 000. Mdluli was sentenced to five years in prison with an option of a fine of E5 000.
In addition, Lukhele was ordered to compensate the complainant an amount of E886.96, being the money unlawfully spent on a six-pack of Savannah, food, soft drinks and cooking oil.
Lukhele told the court that she had allegedly picked up the bank card after finding it discarded in mud near the bar and took it home.
She further claimed that the following morning she sent her children to nearby shops to check if the card was still functional by purchasing cooking oil and alcohol, as she was nursing a hangover from the previous night.
