adminLeonard Ncube Court Reporter
KINGDOM Bank Bulawayo branch security manager Author Jappa is a free man after the State withdrew armed robbery charges against him due to lack of evidence.Jappa, 43, was believed to be the mastermind of the armed robbery that took place in Kumalo last month where 560, 000 rand, $5,400 and three cellphone handsets were allegedly stolen.
Goodluck Katenaire for the State withdrew the charges yesterday saying the people who implicated Jappa were dead and it would not be easy to link him to the crime.
Jappa, of Selborne Park in Bulawayo, was implicated by Knowledge Dawa, 30, of Chitungwiza and Pardon Zvirimumoyo Ruhungwe,47, from Southview, Gweru, who were shot dead during a shootout with detectives in Gweru early this month.
“The State is withdrawing charges before plea. The charges were premised on the implications of two other accused persons who are now deceased so it will be folly to proceed with the matter under the circumstances,” said Katenaire.
Jappa, represented by David Mhiribidi of DW Mhiribidi and Company, has been in custody for more than two weeks. The hunt is however on for the other suspects – Together Chingwatu, Benjamin and Tenei.
Online Reporter