Armed robbers jailed 12 years each for US$100 home raid

A BULAWAYO magistrate has convicted and sentenced two notorious armed robbers to 12 years each after they pounced on a house in Sunninghill suburb and robbed the owner of US$100 in cash, car keys, and safe keys.

Julius Mugwagwa (36) from Cowdray Park and Edzai Madondo (34) from New Magwegwe suburb pleaded not guilty but were convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze due to compelling evidence.

Mugwagwa and Madondo will, however, serve nine years in prison, after three years of their sentences were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Mrs Marondedze said the duo would serve their sentence concurrently with the sentence they are already serving, which was handed to them in October 2024.

Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo said that on 8 July 2023, the duo, along with two other suspects still at large, poisoned Mr Lloyd Nyadzika’s five dogs, rendering them weak.

“After that, the two offenders and the other two who are still at large jumped over the perimeter wall and gained entry into the yard, where they laid an ambush behind the cottage, waiting for Mr Nyadzika’s arrival,” said Mr Moyo.

On the same day, at around 8pm, Mr Nyadzika arrived at his house driving a Toyota Fortuner with registration number PZ 55 KT GP and parked in the yard.

“The offenders, who were in the company of Methius Nheya and Mlungisi, both still at large, were armed with axes, a hammer, and a pistol. They emerged from their hiding place and attacked Mr Nyadzika, demanding money,” said Mr Moyo.

“They manhandled Mr Nyadzika and tried to force-march him into his house, but he resisted despite being assaulted all over his body. In the process, they took his mobile phone, car keys, and safe keys,” he said.

“The offenders used violence, assaulted Mr Nyadzika, and threatened to shoot him if he attempted to resist,” added Mr Moyo.

The duo only released Mr Nyadzika when they saw his wife peering through the window. Mr Nyadzika was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals for treatment, having sustained a swollen forearm and a black eye from the attack. As a result of the robbery, he suffered a deep cut on the eye and permanent loss of vision in his right eye.

In his defence, Mugwagwa claimed he did not commit the crime, stating that on the day in question, he was working as a taxi driver.

“On that day, I went home after work at around 10pm and went to bed with my family. On 22 December 2023, I woke up to a phone call from one Jiyani, who asked me to come to town. Upon arrival, I entered his car, and suddenly, the police appeared and arrested me,” he said.

Madondo, in his defence, stated that he was at home as his wife had just given birth.

“I was home on the day in question as my wife had given birth a few days before the alleged robbery. The police arrested me and asked me about a gun that was used in the offence, and I told them I knew nothing about it,” he said.

“After that, they told me to hold a gun and took pictures before torturing me and three other men in the bush area in Richmond,” he added.