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Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
TWO armed robbery suspects who allegedly pounced on an airtime vendor in Mutare and got away with his vehicle and money were arrested while planning to execute another heist in Rusape.
The duo, Howard Dengure (31) of Nyazura and Evans Ndofa (24) of Bikita appeared before Mutare magistrate, Miss Prisca Manhibi, facing armed robbery charges.
They were remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court as they are facing a third schedule offence.
Mr Tiriwamambo Kangai prosecuted.
It is alleged that on January 28, the complainant, Edmore Muzama (35) who operates at Sakubva Musika, was hired by the suspects for a trip to Dangamvura Shopping Complex.
The suspects were linked to Muzama by an illegal foreign currency dealer only identified as Jimmy.
They agreed on US$15 for the trip and paid up.
But just after Mukwena Business Centre in Dangamvura, the suspects told Muzama that they had reached their destination and told him to stop the car.
As soon as Muzama stopped the vehicle, the duo ordered him to surrender everything he had. One of the them pointed a pistol at him.
Muzama jumped out of the vehicle, leaving the engine running.
He wrestled with one of the robbers outside and shouted for help but no one heard him. The robbers overpowered him and drove off in his vehicle, leaving him at the crime scene.
The complainant lost a cellphone worth $38 500, airtime recharge cards valued at $49 500. Muzama made a report at Dangamvura Alpha Base.
On February 1, detectives received a tip-off that the suspects had planned to commit another robbery in Chiendambuya, Rusape.
The following day, detectives raided the suspects at Dengure homestead in Makoni.
A Taurus pistol without a magazine was recovered during their arrest.
The suspects were interviewed and they admitted that they had robbed the vendor. They were taken to Mutare for indications.
It was also discovered that one of the suspects had given some of the airtime vouchers to his girlfriend in Masvingo.
Online Reporter