Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
TWO Rusape men who attacked a security guard and robbed him of his gun were nabbed after they dropped their cellphone at the crime scene and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Leeroy Maphosa (32) and Pfumai Kubangaradza (43), all of NE 224 Vengere, Rusape appeared before Rusape magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe and pleaded guilty to one count of robbery.
Mr Mahwe sentenced them to five years in jail each before suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.
Six months were suspended on condition that each restitutes US$200 each and they will serve four effective years.
Prosecutor Ms Faith Mutukwa told the court that the duo and their four accomplices attacked Obert Masharata (47) a security guard at Zimati Farm intending to steal an armored cable at a pump station at Rusape Dam wall. They over powered the guard at took his gun.
“On February 19, 2026 the two accused persons together with their four accomplices who are yet to appear at court hatched a plan to steal armored cable from Rusape Dam pump station. At around 6.30pm the accused persons went to the dam wall where they waylaid Masharata on his way out of duty and disarmed him of his service 12 bore shotgun with two live rounds.
“The accused persons also took Masharata’s Itel cellphone before tying him with a rope on his hands and legs. The accused persons went on and cut 12 meters of armoured cable using a bolt cutter from the water pump at the dam wall. The accused persons were later disturbed by Masharata’s supervisor who arrived at the scene on a motor bike for routine checks.
“The accused persons fled from the scene leaving the bolt cutter at the scene. Masharata was untied by his supervisor and went to police to file a report. Police attended scene and recovered the bolt cutter and the ropes used to tie the complainant,” said Ms Mutukwa.
Maphosa and Kubangaradza while fleeing dropped the gun, Maphosa’s cellphone, the fire arm and Masharata’s phone leading to detectives arresting the two.
“On February 26 at around 9am the complainant picked accused one’s cellphone at the scene and handed it over to the police. On the same day the stolen fire arm and the stolen cellphone were also recovered at the nearby bush by the complainant and was handed over to the police.
“On March 10, 2026, police detectives received information which led to the arrest of two accused persons at Vengere Bus Terminus. On March 11, 2026, the accused were escorted by detectives to the scene where they made indications. The value of stolen property is US$1000 and US$600 was recovered,” said Ms Mutukwa.
