Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A 37-year-old Bulawayo man has appeared in court facing four counts of armed robbery after allegedly teaming up with accomplices to raid two bars in the Nketa and Tshabalala suburbs at gunpoint, making off with more than US$2 000 in cash and property.
Nhlanhla Ncube appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze yesterday and was remanded in custody to 9 June for trial.
Prosecutor Ms Christina Manyika told the court that on 2 March at around 10PM, Ncube and his alleged accomplice, Abraham Sibanda — who is still at large — stormed the Tarven Neighbourhood Bar in Nketa 7, armed with pistols and a knife.
“They posed as patrons before Ncube drew a pistol and pointed it at the bar cashier, Ms Yvonne Mudemba, and other customers, threatening to shoot them,” said Ms Manyika.
The pair allegedly demanded the keys to the safe, threatening to kill Ms Mudemba if she did not comply.
Fearing for her life, she handed over the keys, and the suspects stole US$400 and assorted brands of beer.
The robbers then turned on a cook, Ms Abigail Jele, demanding more money. Ms Jele surrendered a satchel containing US$30, a power bank charger, a packet of beef, a mobile phone, and a national identity card belonging to one Raymond Ndebele.
The following night, at around the same time, Ncube allegedly regrouped with Sibanda, Max Moyo, and another suspect only identified as Lenny — who are all still at large — and raided Mantshalini Sports Bar in Tshabalala.
Again posing as ordinary patrons, the gang entered the premises, and Ncube allegedly pointed a pistol at bar attendant Mr Ian Tawanda Msipa, threatening to shoot him.
Mr Msipa handed over US$1 260 from beer sales.
Before fleeing, the suspects allegedly grabbed four bottles of whisky from the counter.
They also ordered the security guard, Mr Godfrey Ndebele, to lie down and took his Huawei mobile phone, valued at US$100.
Following investigations, police arrested Ncube and recovered a stolen radio and the firearm allegedly used in the robberies.
The complainants positively identified him during a police line-up.
