Armed robber gets 20-year jail “package”

Mashudu Mambo

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province, was sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for robbing four people of items worth US$210 at gunpoint.

Cosmas Moyo was sentenced by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza after being found guilty of four counts of armed robbery.

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to an effective 20 years in jail.

Despite being a first-time offender, the magistrate imposed a harsh sentence due to the dangerous weapons involved in the crime.

“The accused is a first-time offender, who pleaded not guilty. However, all four victims positively identified him. The stolen property was recovered after his arrest. Notably, the accused himself led police to the location in the bush where he had hidden the items.

State witness testimony confirms the accused and his accomplice’s involvement in the crime. Therefore, he is found guilty as charged,” charged Mabeza.

The court heard that on 24 November 2023, at around 6pm, a shopkeeper Nomalanga Ndlovu was with Wellington Moyo, Shadrek Ngwenya and Remember Moyo at the Fletcher Moyo General Dealer shop in Gwelutshena.

Cosmas and his accomplice, Mxolisi Nkomazana who is still at large, then entered the shop.

The duo, armed with a pistol and an axe, demanded money and cellphones. Cosmas approached Ndlovu, struck her on the head with the pistol barrel, and stole US$52, R600, four Yaki braids, an Itel cellphone, and eight packets of paracetamol tablets.

Cosmas then turned to Wellington, striking him on the head with the pistol barrel and stealing his J-Star cellphone and US$21 from his wallet.

Next, he targeted Ngwenya, stealing his cellphone and US$5 at gunpoint.

Finally, he approached Remember and stole his Tecno cellphone, which was charging at the time. On 25 November 2023, police arrested Cosmas.

He then led them to a bushy area where they recovered the stolen braids, cellphones and paracetamol tablets, which he had buried there.

Cosmas also led the police to the location where he had hidden the axe used in the crime.

All the stolen property was identified by the victims as their belongings. The total value of the stolen items was US$210, of which US$164 was recovered.