Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THREE men linked to a gang that committed a series of robberies in Gwanda have appeared in court for conviction and sentencing.
The trio pleaded not guilty to all charges and were convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate, Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele.
They were facing an attempted robbery charge, attempted murder charge and four counts of robbery.
Respect Khumalo (22) was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of four counts while Onias Tembo (19) was sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty for six counts.
Moeketsi Ndlovu (18) was jailed four years after he was found guilty for three counts.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba said the trio, in the company of others who are still at large, committed the offences in Gwanda in October and November 2024.
They were arrested on November 25, 2024 after a shoot-out with the police in Bulawayo. The stolen firearms, cash and other valuables were recovered.
“On 27 May 2024 at around 2am the accused persons, in the company of three others who are still at large, proceeded to Mr Clement Gumbo’s residential place at Vubachikwe Mine Compound, while armed with a pistol, machete, axe, wooden logs and stones,” he said.
“They fired two shots from a pistol, but they did not injure anyone. During the scuffle, the complainant sustained severe cuts on both hands from the machete and also injured his face after being hit by a stone.”
Mr Shumba said after failing to breakthrough into the house and get valuables, the accused persons ran away.
In another incident, on October 17, 2024 at around 8pm, he said the accused persons approached Mr Lovemore Guvava who had just disembarked from his motor vehicle and was headed towards his house near Nare Business Centre in Gwanda.
Mr Shumba said the accused persons who were armed with a firearm advanced towards the complainant and shot him just below his collarbone. The complainant ran away and managed to escape.
He said the accused persons went on to attack Mr Knowledge Mungofa while he was guarding Energy Park Service Station in West Nicholson.
“On 17 November 2024 at around 8pm, the accused persons, while armed with a pistol, approached the complainant who was at his workplace manning the service station,” he said.
“They shot the complainant on the right side of his chest, and he fell down.
“They searched his pockets and took away a Tauras Revolver, which had four live rounds of ammunition and a black Huawei cellphone. Accused persons fled from the scene.”
Mr Shumba said on November 10, 2024 at around 2am the accused persons proceeded to Maqethuka General Dealer shop at Matshatshani Business Centre in Guyu where they cut the padlock from the screen gate and forcibly opened the door to gain entry.
While inside the shop, they went to Ms Lindiwe Ncube’s bedroom and demanded cash and valuables from the complainant.
Mr Shumba said the accused persons took R1 700, a small Nokia cellphone, Mobicel cellphone, a small fusion amplifier and a speaker box, before leaving the scene.
“On 10 November 2024 and at around 2am, at Lerato Counter bottle store in Guyu area, they attacked the complainant and took a Mobicel cellphone, six pack hunters gold, 20×10 packs of cigarettes, a speaker box and cash mounting to R380 and went away,” he said.
Mr Shumba said on November 10 at around 9am Mr Trynos Juba was driving a Funcargo in Gwanda when he was waved to stop by the three accused persons at Nare Business Centre.
They got into the car and instructed the complainant to take them to Phakama Business Centre.
One of the accused persons took out a pepper spray and sprayed the complainant’s eyes.
Mr Shumba said the trio tied the complainant’s arms and legs before shoving him into the boot.
“They took R700, an Itel cellphone, tennis shoes. They further drove to a bushy area near Matshatshani Business Centre in Guyu.
“The complainant managed to flee and ran to the business centre, where he sought help,” he said. — @DubeMatutu
