Chronicle Editor
Lesley Chikudo, [email protected]
A 23-year-old man from Bulawayo appeared in court yesterday for allegedly teaming up with two accomplices, still at large, to rob his neighbour at machete-point. The stolen property, valued at US$500, has not been recovered.
Thompson Sibanda, of Emthunzini, appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze, who remanded him in custody to January 27 for trial.
The prosecutor, Ms Christine Manyika, said the robbery occurred on December 20 last year around 8pm. The victim, Mr Nkosikhona Mpala, was walking with his girlfriend when they were ambushed.
“As they were walking through a bushy area, Sibanda, accompanied by two unidentified individuals, emerged armed with a machete,” said Ms Manyika.
The court heard that Sibanda allegedly struck Mr Mpala on the head with the machete before picking up a stone and repeatedly attacking him on the forehead. The assailants then took Mr Mpala’s wallet containing US$150, his cellphone, keys, and national identification card before fleeing the scene.
Mr Mpala sustained head injuries and facial bruises as a result of the attack.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Silence Kwangwa of Trenance suburb in Bulawayo, and Douglas Ruzana of Glenview 7, Harare, were acquitted by the same magistrate due to insufficient evidence linking them to a robbery in Sunninghill.
The two were accused of robbing Mr Lloyd Nyadzika’s home in November 2023. The prosecutor, Mr Milton Moyo, alleged that the accused poisoned Mr Nyadzika’s five dogs, rendering them weak, before ambushing him at his home. Armed with a gun, hammer, and axe, the suspects reportedly assaulted and threatened to shoot Mr Nyadzika.
However, the defence argued that the accused were not present on the day of the alleged robbery. Ruzana claimed he was in Harare at the time.
Mrs Marondedze noted inconsistencies in the testimonies of the complainant and witnesses, leading to the dismissal of the case.
“After listening to the testimonies of the complainant and other State witnesses, the court found a lack of evidence linking the accused to the offence. Accordingly, they are found not guilty and acquitted,” ruled the magistrate.
The accused claimed they were surprised when police arrested them and alleged they were tortured during interrogation.
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