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Wynne Zanamwe Chronicle Reporter
A CONVICT who impersonated a cop to rob a woman of an amplifier and inverter has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, two days before finishing another sentence. Robert Mwembe of Makiya Village under Chief Chizungu in Mberengwa held Ms Junior Hamandishe and her children hostage for more than 30 minutes as he demanded cash. He pleaded not guilty to armed robbery when he appeared before Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire.
The magistrate convicted him on the grounds of overwhelming evidence. He suspended two years from the 15 on condition Mwembe does not commit a similar crime in the next five years.
The court heard that the conviction came two days before Mwembe had finished his prison term for four counts of unlawful entry, possessing dagga, impersonation and theft. It was not revealed in court how long Mwembe spent behind bars for the offences.
In the latest crime, the prosecutor, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court Mwembe armed himself with a pellet gun and raided a homestead where Ms Hamandishe was with her kids.
“On October 19, 2015 Mwembe attacked the complainant at her homestead at around 11PM. “Mwembe knocked on her bedroom door impersonating a police officer on patrol. He said he was looking for her husband whom he claimed was wanted by the police for a murder charge,” said Mr Marimo.
Ms Hamandishe, the prosecutor said, told Mwembe her husband was not at home. “Accused went to an open window and pointed a gun inside the hut and instructed the complainant to open the door but she refused,” said Mr Marimo.
“The accused person forced the door open and demanded cash and a cellphone at gun point. He force-marched complainant and her kids outside at gunpoint and instructed her to sit down at the edge of the yard enquiring on the whereabouts of the complainant’s husband.
“He then force-marched the complainant back into the house and robbed her of an amplifier and an inverter.” Ms Hamandishe reported the matter to the police the following morning leading to Mwembe’s arrest. — @wynnezane
Online Reporter