Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A 29-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man allegedly led a violent robbery spree across the city that left businesses and victims shaken to their core. Silence Moyo, from Emakhandeni suburb, appeared before the Western Commonage regional magistrate, Pasipanodya Maturure, facing four counts of armed robbery. He was remanded in custody until 8 December, when his trial is set to begin.
Prosecutor Christina Manyika outlined a disturbing series of events that began on 7 November at around 8PM when Moyo and two accomplices, who are still on the run, raided MNS Enterprises in Magwegwe. Armed with a pistol and a Colombian knife, they stormed the business, violently pushed Shingirirai Manoyopera, to the ground, and demanded cash and valuables at gunpoint.
“They stole two Itel cellphones, batches of airtime cards worth US$100 from Econet and NetOne, and US$300 in cash,” Manyika told the court. “They fled the scene in a getaway vehicle.”
Just two days later, Moyo and his gang were involved in another robbery, this time targeting a driver at the intersection of Masiyephambili Drive and Luveve Road. The robbers, travelling in a Honda Fit, blocked a Nissan
Sunny driven by Probit Gwama. Armed with the same weapons, they assaulted Gwama, striking him in the face and stabbing him twice in the thigh before making off with US$180.
The gang continued their terror on 17 November, when they raided Daily Grants Bar in Gwabalanda. This time, the criminals, also armed with pistols, ordered the barmen, Ashley Chapepa and Larry Muchero, to the ground. They stole US$675, R1 300, and airtime recharge cards valued at US$347, along with the barmen’s cellphones and two bottles of Gold Blend beer.
Even more daring, on 13 November, the group targeted Easy Pick Shops in another armed heist. Wearing balaclavas and carrying a pistol, an axe, and a jungle knife, Moyo and his partners allegedly overpowered the complainant before making off with US$840 and several mobile phones.
The authorities were eventually able to track down Moyo, and some of the stolen cellphones and airtime cards were recovered during investigations. However, his accomplices remain at large.
Moyo now faces a lengthy stint behind bars if convicted of his crimes. The trial is set to begin next month, and further details of the gang’s shocking spree are expected to emerge.
