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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A MAN from Kwekwe, who was part of an armed robbery gang that disarmed a security guard at a gold processing plant and used the firearm to rob another woman, has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
Marvellous Makoni of W222 Amaveni, Kwekwe, was sentenced to an effective 10-year jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to armed robbery charges when he appeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere last week.
His accomplice Farai Mapuranga (34) pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody awaiting a trial date.
A third gang member, Lovemore Boaz Mavhuregudo is still at large.
Prosecutor Mr Robert Ndlala told the court that on 27 June around 1.30 am, the trio, armed with machetes and iron bars, proceeded to Tedglad Elution Plant in Kwekwe industrial area.
Upon arrival, they found the security guard, Mr Thomas Mpofu, fast asleep in a shed.
The trio, the court heard, disarmed Mr Mpofu and took his 12-bore shotgun.
The gang also took Mr Mpofu’s two mobile phones before they attacked him using the machetes and iron bars threatening him with death if he did not release cash and gold.
Mr Mpofu somehow managed to press the panic button leading to Safeguard Rapid Response Team reacting to the incident.
Realising that there was security back up, the three people fled from the scene and went away with the firearm and the two mobile phones.
On 6 July, the trio went to Manhede Bottle Store in Bell Mine, outside Kwekwe, where they used the firearm to rob cash and goods worth $1 000 from the bottle store.
It is alleged that they approached Ms Hazvineyi Elijah who was alone in the shop, struck her several times in the head with logs before she fell unconscious.
The trio reportedly went away with $589 cash and groceries valued at $467.
Makoni and Mapuranga were arrested two days later and the firearm was recovered at their place of residence.
derick.khumalo