Armed robbery witness nabbed

Zvikomborero Parafini

A WITNESS, who was testifying against a gang of robbers before turning hostile, was over the weekend hauled to court facing armed robbery charges.

Christopher Takawira, became hostile in court in an attempt to make the State case collapse in favour of his accomplices.

He disowned his witness statement in court. Investigations later revealed that he allegedly participated in the robbery.

The court heard that Takawira smuggled the getaway car he and his accomplices used from CID stores, where it was being held as an exhibit, in a bid to conceal evidence.

Allegations are that Takawira and his accomplices, James Nyakutsikwa, Spicer Takawira, Chamunorwa Takawira, Musafari Mupamhanga, Newman Nyatikiwa, Joseph Chinhemba and Leo Mandaza, connived to rob MCH Fuels in Southlea Park.

Armed with a pistol, they went to the service station using Takawira’s Toyota Wish. Upon arrival, they posed as customers who wanted to refuel their car. And, after fueling, they parked a distance from the service station while on surveillance.

After a short while, they returned to the service station on foot and attacked the security guard, Maxwell Nyemudzai, who was seated in a parked car.

They allegedly force marched him to the main office which they broke into.

A fuel attendant, Tinei Makuwe, was inside the main office and they threatened him. They ordered both employees to lie down. They searched them and stole their phones before ransacking the office where they stole a CCTV dvr, US$150 cash, engine oils, and a rechargeable torch.

They also stole a battery from a minibus that was parked outside the service station.