Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
IF they did not end up serving real time, this could have passed for an April Fools prank.
Four men from Gwanda executed a brutal armed robbery on a gold dealer on April one and none of them are laughing as they each begin a 10-year stretch behind bars.
Fonet Maranganya (27), Malvin Maranganya (19), Prince Sibanda (22) and Tatenda Ndlovu (23) thought they were clever when they posed as gold dealers — but the joke backfired badly.
The Gwanda Magistrates’ Court slapped them with an effective 10-year jail term after their April 1 stunt turned violent at Ben Shire Mine, Bar 20.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the gang lured mine worker Learnmore Magodhi (39) into a fake gold deal.
“The victim was approached by the offenders pretending to sell gold. While he counted money to complete the deal, one of the offenders grabbed the cash, triggering a violent confrontation,” reads the statement.
Then things turned deadly serious.
“One of the offenders produced a pistol and fired two shots at the victim,” said the NPAZ.
But Magodhi was no fool.
He fought back like a man possessed, disarmed the gunman and even sank his teeth into the attacker’s hand, forcing the gang to scatter.
The crooks fled with ZAR15 000, but their getaway was a mess.
“Crucial evidence including a Samsung cellphone, a blank pistol, clothing items and sandals was left behind, aiding investigations,” the NPAZ added.
Police swooped in and nabbed the suspects, with one cracking under pressure and leading officers to the rest.
The court handed down 12 years to each of them, with two suspended, leaving them to serve 10 years behind bars.
In a warning shot to would-be criminals, the NPAZ said: “Criminals who exploit trust and resort to violence will face decisive justice.”
Colletta Dube