Armed robber gets 10-year term

him of a gun which they used to commit other robberies, has been jailed 10 years.

Ringisai Madondo (38) pleaded not guilty to armed robbery, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm charges when he appeared before regional magistrate Mr Clever Tsikwa.
But he was convicted on the basis of overwhelming evidence.
Mr Tsikwa sentenced Madondo to 10 years imprisonment of which two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour on the armed robbery charge.

He was slapped with 12 months of which six were suspended for unlawful possession of a firearm. Madondo was fined US$100 or one month in prison for attempting to rob a farm.
In mitigation Madondo pleaded for leniency saying he was a family man.

In aggravation prosecutor Mr Nathaniel Chigoro said it was unfortunate that Madondo decided to show remorse at the end of a full trial after wasting the court’s time and resources.
“Many lives have been lost as a result of activities of robbery; children have been orphaned as a result of these barbaric acts.
“Acts of robbery are acts of life and death all victims are traumatised. Our courts should send appropriate messages to society,” he submitted.

Mr Tsikwa ruled that the aggravation outweighed the mitigation and agreed that only a custodial sentence would meet justice in the case.
Mr Chigoro proved that on July 6, 2008 at about 0220hrs the complainant Mr John Nengomasha was driving his Toyota Corolla along Robert Mugabe Road in Dzivaresekwa.

When he got to a Zaoga Church along the same road, he pulled over to relieve him-self.
Madondo and two accomplices still at large forced their way into his car and threatened him with a knife and screw driver before searching the vehicle and stealing a pistol and car keys.

They disappeared into the night.
On September 15 last year Madondo in the company of two others armed themselves with a Webley Revolver and went to Glaudina Farm in Harare West.

While on the farm they were spotted by an alert security guard who raised alarm leading to Madondo’s arrest.
His accomplices fled from the scene.