Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Zimpapers Writer
A BULAWAYO man who acted in concert with accomplices still at large to carry out a violent armed robbery in Kezi, Matobo District — during which a businesswoman was dispossessed of her Toyota D4D vehicle, cash and other valuables — has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Nicholas Moyo (34) was convicted on his own plea of guilty to robbery when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ndebele. The court suspended two years of the sentence for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, leaving him to serve an effective eight year prison term.
A Honda Fit vehicle used in the commission of the crime was forfeited to the State.
In handing down sentence, Ms Ndebele described the offence as serious and deserving of a deterrent custodial term. She noted that the accused acted in a coordinated manner with his accomplices, was armed, and demonstrated a clear intention to cause harm.
“The accused person and his accomplices were armed with dangerous weapons and threatened the complainant. Clearly, they intended to permanently deprive her of her property,” said the magistrate.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba told the court that on February 12, 2022, at around 3AM, Moyo and his accomplices armed themselves with machetes and iron bars before driving to Blackbull
Investments at St Joseph Business Centre in Kezi in a silver Honda Fit.
Upon arrival, the gang forcibly broke into the complainant’s bedroom, which is located behind the shop, gaining entry while brandishing machetes and iron bars.
“Once inside the bedroom, the accused persons demanded cash from the complainant, Ms Nokuthula Mpofu, threatening to assault her if she did not comply,” said Mr Shumba.
Fearing for her life, the complainant surrendered her Toyota D4D car keys, R6 000 in cash and a number of valuables, including an OpenView decoder, a Samsung tablet, a Samsung Galaxy S9, a Samsung Galaxy A30 cellphone and a pair of shoes.
After committing the robbery, Moyo and his accomplices fled the scene in the complainant’s vehicle. The complainant immediately raised the alarm, prompting neighbours to alert police and give chase.
“The accused persons sensed danger and abandoned the complainant’s vehicle before also dumping their Honda Fit and disappearing into nearby bush,” said Mr Shumba.
Subsequent police investigations led to the recovery of a driver’s licence, a defensive driving licence and other personal documents belonging to Moyo inside the abandoned Honda Fit, which ultimately led to his arrest.
