adminrobbing a passenger of US$1 550 when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo.
Mr Murendo sentenced him to five years in prison of which two years were conditionally set aside.
In assessing the sentence, the court took into account that many people were losing their valuables to such criminals and that Temba’s moral blameworthiness was very high.
The court also considered that Temba betrayed the trust bestowed on him by unsuspecting passengers.
Agreed facts were that on December 14 last year, at around 7am, Innocent Marufu (39) a vendor, of Mayambara Village in Seke boarded a kombi at Diaspora bus stop in Unit B going to his market place at Chikwanha.
In the bus, Temba was with his four accomplices who were disguised as passengers.
On the way, he hoodwinked Marufu by alleging that the bus’ door had developed a problem and asked him to close it.
While Marufu was busy trying to close the door, Temba dipped his hands in his pocket and fished out a wallet containing US$1 550.
After the commission of the crime, he immediately ordered the driver to drive back to the garage and pushed out Marufu.
They sped off from the scene.
Marufu met Temba and apprehended him in February this year.
After questioning Temba, he admitted to have committed the offence and asked Marufu to accompany him to Unit D where his accomplice lived.
While they were going to the alleged place, Temba reportedly escaped from Marufu and was apprehended on February 17.
Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa prosecuted.
Online Reporter