derick.khumalo
Getrude Manyande
[email protected]
A 54-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective five years’ imprisonment for leading an armed robbery at a house in Mbundane suburb, while his son got a suspended jail term for receiving one of the stolen cellphones.
Sibanda was convicted of robbery, while his son, Gibson, whose age was not given, was convicted of receiving stolen property by West Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure.
Sibanda was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, leaving an effective five-year jail term.
Gibson was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
Prosecuting, Ms Melissa Dube told the court that on August 11 last year at about 11 PM, Sibanda and three accomplices, who are still at large, broke into the home of Mr Arzania Kamiji in Mbundane suburb.
The gang proceeded to the complainant’s bedroom where they found him asleep with his wife.
The court heard that Sibanda, who was armed with a machete, and one of his accomplices, who was carrying a log, ordered the couple to sit down before searching the house.
“They threatened to use violence and demanded money. Sibanda went on to search the bedroom and took US$432, R100 and two cellphones,” said Ms Dube.
After stealing the cash and cellphones, the gang fled from the scene.
The complainant reported the matter to the police, and investigations led to the recovery of one of the stolen cellphones through assistance from mobile network operator Econet.
Investigators established that the recovered cellphone was being used by Gibson, leading to his arrest. Further investigations linked Sibanda to the robbery, culminating in his arrest, prosecution and conviction.
Police investigations to trace the three outstanding suspects are continuing.
