Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
TWO men who terrorised the Chipinge community during a month-long robbery spree have been convicted on seven counts of robbery and sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court.
The convicts — Joseph Mafondokoto (25) and Kuda Mafondokoto (29) of Chikwanda Village under Chief Mutema — were found guilty by Chipinge magistrate, Mr Robson Chineka, who issued a stern warning that the courts will not tolerate violent crime.
The duo was represented by Mr Langton Mhungu of Mhungu and Associates, while Mr Isaac Tangwena led the prosecution.
The court heard that their accomplices, Chakanetsa Mafondokoto and Tinashe Mashava, remain at large, with police launching a manhunt to bring them to justice.
Prosecutor, Mr Tangwena told the court that the gang had unleashed a reign of fear across Chipinge between October and November, targeting homesteads headed by women and small businesses.
Armed with catapults, iron bars and matchboxes, they struck at night, demanding cash and leaving communities living in fear.
“From October to November, these men were terrorising Chipinge. They targeted female-headed homes, and used iron bars to force-open doors. They would threaten their victims with matches, and hit them with stones fired from catapults, before demanding cash,” Mr Tangwena said.
The prosecutor said the gang struck seven times in just a month, hitting residential areas in Baisy Hill, Glenview, Mistview and Hangayi Village, as well as a shop at Nyamuri Store under Chief Mutema.
“In October, they robbed seven different people, using the same violent method. They broke doors using iron bars, assaulted the complainants with stones from their catapults and demanded money. On October 18, they robbed a house in Glenview, and on October 22, they struck again in Mistview. Four days later, on the 26th, they robbed another home in Hangayi using the same method,” Mr Tangwena narrated.
He added that on November 12, the gang escalated their attacks by robbing a shop at Nyamuri Store, and later pounced on another home, where they struck the complainant on the left arm while demanding cash.
“The total value of the stolen property in all seven counts was US$3 800. Of that, property worth US$1 500 was recovered. The two accused persons pleaded guilty to all the seven counts,” he said.
Mr Tangwena urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, stressing that the gang had instilled fear in neighbourhoods, and that their offences were premeditated, organised and violent.
“These offences were not spontaneous. They moved as a gang, armed themselves, targeted victims strategically and used violence to obtain money. A strong sentence is necessary to protect the public and deter others,” he argued.
In mitigation, defence lawyer, Mr Mhungu, pleaded for leniency, saying the pair was still young and had shown remorse by pleading guilty.
“They have not wasted the court’s time. They are first offenders and have families who depend on them. A long custodial sentence will extinguish any chance of rehabilitation. They pray for the court’s mercy,” he said.
However, Mr Chineka said the seriousness and brutality of the offences left the court with no option, but to impose a harsh penalty.
He said the judiciary will not allow criminals to turn communities into hunting grounds.
“As a court, we have a duty to protect law-abiding citizens What you did was planned, deliberate and persistent. For more than a month you moved around breaking into homes, attacking innocent people and demanding money. You turned peaceful neighbourhoods into zones of fear,” said Mr Chineka during sentencing the duo.
He said the court’s duty is to send a clear message that violence will always be met with firm justice.
“The judiciary will not sit back and watch criminals terrorise communities. Anyone who thinks they can arm themselves with iron bars and catapults, and break into homes should know that the courts will respond decisively. The courts will not play with people’s safety,” he said.
Mr Chineka condemned their decision to target female-headed households.
“You deliberately preyed on the vulnerable. That aggravation alone justifies a stiff sentence. People must be safe in their own homes, but you destroyed that sense of safety. You did not behave like young people who made a mistake. You behaved like adults who knew exactly what they were doing. You planned, you armed yourselves, you chose vulnerable targets and you used violence. Society needs protection from such behaviour,” he said.
Mr Chineka sentenced the duo to 14 years in prison, with the sentence to run concurrently.
He also issued a warrant of arrest for the two accomplices on the run.
