Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara,[email protected]
TWO Bulawayo men who turned the city into a hunting ground with a string of brutal gunpoint robberies have been slapped with a combined 48 years in prison.
Clifford Nare (34) of Cowdray Park and Thabo Dube (24) of Pelandaba West were found guilty on seven counts of armed robbery by Bulawayo regional magistrate Archie Wochiunga. The pair belonged to a marauding syndicate whose other members are still on the run. Their gang used pistols, machetes and even swords while storming service stations and supermarkets late at night.
For counts one, two and four, each was jailed 12 years, with two years suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Of the remaining 10 years, six months were trimmed after they paid US$385 to Tenala Nyoni, another six months after paying US$575 to Ethen Moramasaka and a further six months after paying US$545 to Bless Jabulani Nyoni. This left them with eight and a half years effective.
For counts five, six and seven, the court slapped another 12 years on each man. Six months were suspended upon payment of US$1 900 and R500 to Choppies Supermarket, while three months were suspended after they paid US$37 to Sindiso Savoyi. They will serve 11 years and three months effective for those counts.
In total, each robber will serve 19 years and nine months behind bars.
Prosecutor Hazel Ncube said the duo struck between November and December last year, pouncing on service stations and supermarkets mainly around Cowdray Park.
“On November 8, the accused persons, armed with firearms and swords, stormed Nova Petroleum Service Station at around 10PM and robbed a fuel attendant of US$550 and a cellphone worth US$200,” she said.
A few hours later, they returned with two accomplices and robbed another attendant of US$870 and a cellphone worth US$270. Later that month, they hit the same spot again and took US$95 from a third attendant.
The gang also raided Choppies Supermarket, where they held workers at gunpoint before fleeing with cash and several cellphones. Police investigations led to the arrest of Nare and Dube although none of the stolen property was recovered.
