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A HOMELESS man from Gweru, who has been on the run since October last year after robbing a wholesale using a gun stolen from a security guard, was on Wednesday slapped with a two year jail term. Thulani Ncube, 22, of no fixed abode, appeared before magistrate Vimbai Makora. He was sentenced to 36 months in jail with 12 months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Ncube was arrested two weeks ago at Amtec along Harare road while trying to leave the city.
He together with Benjamin Sibanda, 18, Vincent Mutare, 18, Tapiwa Nyaguse, 19, Tinashe Muzanenhamo, 23, who are already serving a two year jail term for the crime, robbed a Safe Guard security officer of his gun, before stealing groceries worth $300 at DCK Wholesale in Gweru.
Ncube was said to be the ringleader.
For the State, Blessing Neta told the court that on June 20 last year, the five connived and purposefully went to DCK Wholesale along Mvuma road where Lloyd Mataruse of Safe Guard Security Company was on duty.
The court heard that one of the gang members forcibly grabbed Mataruse from behind while his colleagues searched him.
They took a communication radio and a Special Revolver pistol and keys to the main gate.
The court heard that they then tied the security guard’s hands using a shoe lace and his feet with wire. One of the vagrants was left guarding Mataruse while the others broke into the shop.
While inside the shop, they stole groceries including chicken portions, sausages worth $300 and nothing was recovered.
Mataruse later managed to unshackle himself and reported the matter to the police.
Neta said two days later, police got a tip off that Ncube and his friends were in possession of a gun.
They admitted to the allegations and led police to a place along the Gweru River where they had buried the gun.
Online Reporter