Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
AN armed robber who stormed a grocery shop in Bulawayo’s central business district and robbed a shop owner of US$4 000 at gunpoint has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Abiola Mangena (29), of Njube suburb, was convicted of armed robbery by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mathew Mutiro.
Mangena was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
A further year was suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant US$2 465 on or before July 31.
Prosecuting, Ms Hazel Ncube told the court that on June 11, shortly after 7.30PM, Mangena armed himself with a pellet pistol and pepper spray before proceeding to the complainant’s grocery shop.
Upon arrival, he found the complainant seated inside the shop with her husband.
The court heard that Mangena produced the pistol and threatened to shoot the complainant while demanding cash.
The complainant panicked and screamed for help, prompting Mangena to grab a cardboard box containing US$4 000 before fleeing.
The complainant and her husband pursued him while shouting for assistance from members of the public.
Members of the public joined the chase and apprehended Mangena at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Robert Mugabe Road.
The court heard that as he fled, Mangena dropped some of the stolen cash in an attempt to distract his pursuers.
The complainant and members of the public escorted him to Bulawayo Central Police Station, where a report was made.
Mangena surrendered US$1 535, the pellet pistol, pepper spray and the black jacket he had been wearing during the robbery.
Investigations by the Bulawayo Homicide Squad revealed that Mangena had acquired the pellet pistol the previous day.
The recovered cash, pellet pistol, pepper spray, receipts, clothing worn by the offender and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showing the robbery were produced in court as exhibits.
