Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO Harare brothers arrested after a string of armed robberies and rapes at homes in and around the city were yesterday charged with 24 counts of rape, aggravated indecent assault and robbery.
Fortune Ngoshi (32) and Pride Ngoshi (29) were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka and were remanded in custody.
The State alleges that between June 19 and June 28, the pair, acting in the company of accomplices who are still at large, targeted several households in Harare while armed with pistols, machetes, knives and other weapons.
In one of the incidents, the court heard, the gang allegedly forced its way into a White Cliff home, robbing the household of cash, groceries and household property worth hundreds of US dollars.
Prosecutors further allege that during the robbery, several women and girls were sexually assaulted, while others were robbed of cellphones, cash and other valuables.
Some of the women and girls are juveniles whose identities are being withheld in accordance with the law.
The State also alleges that the gang stole numerous cellphones, laptops, watches, groceries and other household items from other homes.
In one of the incidents, the gang allegedly made away with property worth more than US$2 800, while another complainant reportedly lost over US$1 600 in cash and valuables.
Police investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property, including cellphones, a laptop battery and a pistol allegedly used during the commission of one of the offences.
However, some of the property is yet to be recovered.
The State opposed bail, arguing that the offences are serious and carry severe penalties if the accused are convicted.
Prosecutors also submitted that the accused have strong incentives to abscond, could interfere with witnesses who live in the same communities and may jeopardise ongoing investigations as some accomplices remain at large.
The prosecution further argued that the accused have no fixed places of residence, making them difficult to locate if released, while some of the stolen property has not yet been recovered.
