BAG SNATCHER SLASHED STRAPS, but karma slashed his escape!

Dalyn Chigwizura

A 23-YEAR-OLD Magwegwe North man who thought he was slick with a knife ended up being outpaced by karma and a fast-footed neighbourhood watchman after snatching a handbag from a woman on a bridge.

Tinashe Khoza appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Archie Wochiwunga facing armed robbery charges. He was remanded in custody to 1 July 2025.

Prosecutor Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the drama unfolded on June 11 around 7:45 a.m. near the Phekiwe River Bridge in Mbundane.

Longissimi Ngwabi (49) was walking to work when Khoza crept up behind her, brandished an Okapi knife, and demanded her handbag. She resisted fiercely, and the two ended up in a tug-of-war on the bridge.

Khoza, clearly not winning on brute strength, slashed the bag’s straps and bolted with it. Inside was an Itel cellphone and US$93.

Thinking he had pulled off the perfect morning grab-and-run, Khoza didn’t count on Ngwabi’s piercing screams alerting the community. Pilate Ndlovu, a member of the neighbourhood watch committee, gave chase and ran Khoza down like a gazelle.

He was handed over to Nkulumane police, and the handbag, along with all its contents worth US$168, was fully recovered.

Khoza’s bridge-side robbery ended not with loot and glory, but with a swift trip to the police station and a courtroom date.

Let this be a lesson: if you bring a knife to a handbag fight, you better be faster than karma — and Pilate.