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Beitbridge Bureau
Police have arrested three robbers who have been terrorising residents in Beitbridge town after they fired at the trio. The trio, Freeman Ndlovu (18), Brighton Makumire (18) both of no fixed abode in the border town, and Elton Mutemi (24) of house 955 Medium Density suburb were operating around Mashakada Business Centre.
They had armed themselves with machetes and knives. Ndlovu was shot on Thursday last week as he tried to flee from police detectives.
The trio have since appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa charged with three counts of armed robbery.
They were remanded in custody to October 10 for remand.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi said the trio allegedly robbed people at Mashakada business centre where they would target motorists and other residents.
He said on September 25 at around midnight the trio pounced on one cross border operator who had parked his vehicle at the business centre along with two other people.
The accused persons approached him armed with knives and a machete threatening to kill him if he did not comply with their orders.
They then took away US$250, R2 560 and disappeared into the night.
Later that same night Ndlovu and his associates pounced on another motorist who had parked his vehicle near a filling station and robbed him of US$100, R300 and a wrist watch using the same method.
All the stolen property was worth US$320. The State further alleged that the trio also pounced on another customs clearing agent near Kalahari Sports bar and took a cell phone worth US$80.
The accused ran out of luck when Ndhlovu was shot and injured in the left leg while trying to flee from police detectives.
He was then positively identified by the first complainant while seeking treatment at Beitbridge district hospital.
He then led the police to his accomplices. Two okapi knives and a machete were also recovered from the trio.
Online Reporter