Bus robber to enjoy 84-year ride in prison

THEIRS was supposed to be the perfect heist that would guarantee a big pay day.

They figured that they could strike it rich by robbing a Beitbridge-bound bus, which no doubt would be laden with cash-flush cross-border traders.

On July 17 this year, the fivesome — Ashton Siziba (26), Talent Mulaudzi (20), Saul Dadirai (23), Pheneas Shumba (25) and Elphase Mugudubudze — had to hike all the way from Beitbridge to Harare to execute their plan.

Along the way, they dropped Mugudubudze at the Vilivili bus stop. When they arrived at the Mbudzi bus terminus in Harare, they chose a Blue Circle coach as their target. Passing themselves off as genuine passengers, they boarded the bus and duly paid the fare.

In any case, it was a small price to pay, as they were to rob back the money anyway.

On July 18, around 4am, one of the robbers told the conductor that he wanted to disembark at the Vilivili bus stop, knowing full well Mugudubudze would be waiting to pounce.

When the bus stopped, right on cue, Mugudubudze stormed the coach, brandishing a C75 9mm pistol, which he used to frighten the driver out of his wits.

Meanwhile, fellow gang members who were embedded on the bus also produced Okapi knives to intimidate the passengers.

After ordering the driver to move to a secluded place, switch off the engine and turn off the lights, they frisked the passengers for money and valuables. Satisfied with their loot, they vanished.

The matter was reported to the police, who did not take long to account for the daring gang, minus Mugudubudze, who is still on the run. They were all hauled before the Chiredzi Magistrates’ Court. Siziba did not waste the court’s time and pleaded guilty to 37 counts of robbery.

Despite his seeming contrition, the court did not take the egregious crime lightly and slapped the 26-year-old Ashton with an effective 84-year sentence.

You do the maths: Ashton would probably be 110 years when he gets the chance to taste freedom again; that is, if he is blessed with long life. This is likely to have a chilling effect on his fellow gangbangers, who will appear in court again this week.

You see, crime really does not pay.