Danisa Masuku
TWO men accused of being part of a gang that raided a shop and the Brethren In Christ Church (BICC) in Bulawayo, stealing laptops, a camera, cellphones and US$2 000, have appeared in court.
Mbonisi Zulu (43), of Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo, and Taona Maparara (39), of Mutero village under Chief Mapanzure in Zvishavane, appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Resident Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso yesterday, facing three counts of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances.
The pair pleaded not guilty and are not legally represented. They were remanded in custody to 28 October for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that on 13 October 2024, the accused persons, together with two accomplices still at large, identified only as Mutonga and Atikozenja, allegedly targeted Accessories Hub in Bulawayo’s city centre.
The court heard that the gang used an unknown object to force open the shop door before entering and stealing several cellphones and laptops.
“The owner of the shop noticed the break-in the following day and reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused,” said Mr Mpofu.
He told the court that on 18 October 2024, the accused persons led police to the recovery of three cellphones, including a black Huawei P40 and a black Huawei P6 with IMEI number 866838047861907, which had allegedly been sold to Naledi Mpamba.
“The recovered cellphones were seized under ZRP seizure form 390, serial numbers 0062088-90, which can be produced as evidence,” said Mr Mpofu.
The court further heard that on 20 November 2024, the accused persons led detectives to the recovery of two KGTEL cellphones, with IMEI numbers 356279771963451 and 356279771871355, which had allegedly been sold to Tinabo Moyo.
Mr Mpofu told the court that on 30 October 2024, the gang allegedly targeted the Brethren in Christ Church, situated at the corner of Fort Street and Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue in Bulawayo.
“On 30 October 2024, the caretaker knocked off duty at around 5.30 PM, closed all the windows and locked the doors, leaving everything intact,” he said.
The court heard that Maqhawe Moyo, a security guard employed by a contracted security company, remained on duty at the premises.
During the night, the accused persons and their accomplices allegedly damaged a precast wall before using a crowbar to force open a window and remove burglar bars to gain entry into the church offices.
Mr Mpofu said the gang then forced open an office door and stole a grey Chubb safe containing US$2 000 in cash.
The accused persons allegedly proceeded to another office housing the University of Matopo Trust, where they damaged a door to gain entry and stole an assortment of equipment.
The stolen items included a white Epson projector, serial number X88T1402433, a Panasonic HCV800 camera, an XCCTV network video recorder (NVR), two silver Acer laptops, two HP laptops, a Blue Star tablet and a video capture card.
The court heard that the caretaker discovered the break-in when he returned to the church the following day and reported the matter to the police.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department at Bulawayo Central Police Station subsequently received information that led to the arrest of the accused persons.
Ends
