Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 19-YEAR-OLD man from Tshibizwa village under Chief Matibe in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, has been jailed for an effective four years after teaming up with three others, who are still at large, to rob a fellow villager of cash R10 000 and US$190 while armed with a pistol and knives.
Givers Mbedzi is believed to be part of a gang that has been terrorising the community in Beitbridge East.
He was convicted on one count of robbery when he appeared before Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa last week.
Mbedzi was left with an effective four years’ imprisonment when four years were set aside from the initial eight years’ jail term.
Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya said on June 2 this year, the accused in the company of three others still at large, went to the complainant’s homestead in the same village at around 1 am.
They were armed with knives and an unknown pistol. Upon their arrival, they broke down the door to the house using a garden pick and robbed the man of R10 000 and US$190 while threatening him with a pistol and knives.
They threatened to shoot and kill him if he resisted. After subduing the victim and taking the money, the accused persons fired two shots and left the crime scene.
Mbedzi, who was recognised by the complainant, was later arrested following thorough investigations by police.
Nothing was recovered.
