Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A suspected armed robber whose alleged raid on a Mahatshula family home was captured on surveillance cameras appeared in court yesterday with three co-accused facing charges linked to a series of robberies in Bulawayo’s Old Luveve, Nkulumane and Cowdray Park suburbs.
Joseph Phiri, Trust Adam Mubvumbi, Challenge Neta and Wellington Nyakurima Phiri appeared before Western Commonage Regional Magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure facing seven counts of armed robbery.
The four pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In addition to the seven counts before the court, Joseph is also facing 14 other armed robbery charges currently before the Bulawayo Regional Court.
The quartet is represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.
The State, represented by Ms Christine Manyika, opposed the accused persons’ application for bail, arguing that they are flight risks and that the offences they allegedly committed are serious in nature. The State further submitted that the accused allegedly used dangerous weapons while carrying out the robberies.
“They were armed with guns, machetes and an iron rod. That makes them a danger to society, and if released on bail they might continue committing crime,” said Ms Manyika.
Joseph and his co-accused were remanded in custody to June 30 for the commencement of trial.
The court heard that on December 15 last year, shortly before 1am, the accused persons, together with accomplices identified only as Gift, Paulos and Mehluli, allegedly targeted a family home in Nkulumane suburb.
“They were armed with a pistol, an iron rod and a machete. They scaled over the precast wall and entered the yard.
They smashed a window and got inside before demanding cash from the complainant. They took US$317 and four cellphones before leaving,” the court heard.
After the alleged robbery, the group reportedly proceeded to Cowdray Park suburb.
Ms Manyika told the court that the accused allegedly targeted a house belonging to a 54-year-old woman.
“They scaled over the precast wall and entered the yard before breaking down the main door. They found the woman asleep, woke her up and demanded cash. She gave them US$203 and cellphones before they left,” said Ms Manyika.
On the same night, the accused allegedly struck at another house in Cowdray Park.
“They found the gate unlocked and entered. They broke down a door and entered the kitchen, then headed to a bedroom where a 28-year-old man was sleeping. They woke him up and demanded cash. They took US$1 805, which had been kept inside a wardrobe before fleeing.”
Ms Manyika further told the court that on December 20 last year, the quartet allegedly invaded a home in Old Luveve suburb.
“They arrived shortly after 12:30 midnight and knocked on the bedroom window. A 28-year-old man opened the door, and they entered. They demanded cash, punched and strangled him. He surrendered US$26 and two cellphones before they left,” said Ms Manyika.
On the same night, the accused allegedly broke into another house in Old Luveve, where they reportedly confronted a 47-year-old AFM pastor.
“They demanded cash while threatening to kill him. Out of fear, the pastor gave them US$420 and R500. They fled into the darkness,” the court heard.
Later that night, at around 1:30am, the accused allegedly robbed another man in the same suburb.
“They ransacked the house and stumbled upon US$13 and R100, which they took. They then headed to a tuck shop and stole US$1 000 and R15 000 before leaving,” the court heard.
The court heard that the alleged robbery spree ended with another break-in at a house in Old Luveve suburb, where the accused allegedly stole US$9 100 before fleeing.
The complainants reported the incidents to the police, prompting investigations by Bulawayo Homicide detectives, which allegedly led to the arrest of the accused persons.
