Chivayo robber has more cases to answer

Senior Court Reporter
A suspected housebreaker who terrorised Borrowdale and Ballantyne Park homes in Harare robbing property worth thousands of dollars was yesterday remanded in custody. Lamusi Nthula (50) of Chipatiko Village under Chief Chinamhora, who was on the run for five years, appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe. Nthula is also part of the gang that ransacked businessman Mr Wicknell Chivhayo’s Ballantyne Park home getting away with property worth thousands of dollars.

Nthula is facing 13 counts of unlawful entry and was not asked to plead. He was on an outstanding warrant of arrest for a 2014 case of possession of articles for criminal use. Mr Mahwe revoked Nthula’s bail for that case and remanded him in custody to July 13.

His lawyer, Mr Tawanda Takaindisa, reserved bail application for the High Court. Allegations against Nthula are that on September 15 last year at around 2am, he went to Mr Michael Cain’s house in The Grange and gained entry after smashing the garage window.

He allegedly stole 20 litres of diesel, a battery charger, chain saw and a grass cutter and escaped unnoticed. On October 2 last year, he went to Mr Lovemore Madembo’s house around 3am and stole a solar panel, inverter, two-plate gas stove, gas tank and an HP computer before fleeing unnoticed.

On October 5 the same year, it is alleged, Nthula stole Mr Lee Mugoni’s computer in Greendale before stealing an iPad from Musa Gumede in the same suburb. It is alleged that he also stole various cellphones, a plasma television and a home theatre system from Ms Regina Mawere and Ms Agnes Kunaka, respectively on January 2 this year.

Sometime in February, it is alleged that Nthula, using the same modus operandi, stole a laptop from one Rangasamy Lesavan and two mobile phones from Tamlyan Birkett’s home. On April 10 this year it is also alleged that he stole various clothing items and assorted shoes from Mr Chivhayo’s house in Ballantyne Park and escaped unnoticed.

On May 29, Nthula is alleged to have stolen six laptops, three cellphones, a gold chain and a wristwatch from Koumides Kynaros home in Ballantyne Park as well as cellphones from Mr Richard Wild. His accomplice, Ignatius Magaya (40), who stole various clothes and 30 pairs of shoes was denied bail.

Mr Mahwe ruled that Magaya was a flight risk. “Accused is facing a serious offence and was found in possession of the stolen item. The State has overwhelming evidence against him, and this may induce him to flee,” he said.