Armed robbers, who terrorised Chitown, nabbed

Zvikomborero Parafini

A GANG of suspected armed robbers, who were allegedly terrorising Chitungwiza residents, appeared in court yesterday.

The gang, made up of Stephen Mahachi, Tatenda Yasini, Collen Mudyiwa, Cephas Kamutasa and Learnmore Chitombo, appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, who remanded them in custody, to July 20.

The court heard that on March 12 this year, at around 7pm, the gang and several others who are at large, connived to rob the complainant, Caroline Tembekire.

It is alleged that armed with an unidentified pistol and machetes, the gang approached Tembekire at her home in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, and broke in through the window.

One of them pointed a pistol at the complainant and her children, ordering them to lie down.

They allegedly tied them, using cables, and covered them with a blanket, before stealing US$1 300, CCTV DVR, Tecno A7 cell phone, an HP Laptop, a brown Bluetooth R1 plus speaker, 1 x Nike sneakers and 1 x Airforce speakers.

On the second count, the gang allegedly broke into Charity Karonga’s home where they fired one gun shot into the air and ransacked the house looking for money.

They allegedly went away with four cellphones valued at US$500.

On the third count, the State alleges the gang broke into Fairness Mangwende’s house in Zengeza, armed with a pistol, and machetes.

They allegedly stole US$460, groceries and a cellphone.

In the fourth count, it is the State’s case that the gang broke into an unnamed complainant’s house, through the window.

Upon entry, they allegedly threatened to strike him with an axe if he refused to comply with their orders.

They ordered him to sit down and he resisted, which resulted in him being struck with an axe on his right foot.

The complainant then told the robbers he had money in the car and one of them took US$6 000 which was in the vehicle.

They allegedly continued assaulting him, demanding more money.

He told them he had $2000 and US$22 in his dashboard in his other car and they took it.

They allegedly also stole phones and blankets. The State alleges that they also broke into the home of yet another unnamed complainant and stole US$1 470, three cellphones and groceries.

During the robbery, two of the robbers took turns to rape the complainant’s maid before fleeing in his Land Rover.

Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State.