Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
HARARE regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Tuesday convened court at the bedside of a notorious robber who is facing five-armed robbery counts, attempted robbery and unlawful possession of firearms and explosives at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Kudakwashe Tafirenyika was injured in a shootout with police.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody under the guard of officers from the ZPCS at the hospital.
The court heard that in one of the counts, on February 25, the complainant Kudzaishe Mapfumo arrived home from work and left his bag containing US$6 000 in the car, stacked at the back seat.
He also left US$7 000 in US$100 notes stashed on the left sun visor and went into his three-roomed cottage in Eastview.
The cash was his savings from work. He forgot to lock the main entrance door and retired to bed.
It is alleged that later that night, four armed robbers, including Tafirenyika, armed with an unidentified pistol, gained entry into the cottage through an unlocked main door.
While in the house, one of the robbers proceeded to where Mapfumo’s mother was sleeping, while one remained in the kitchen where his sister was sleeping and the other two went to Mapfumo’s bedroom where they manhandled and handcuffed him.
The robbers assaulted Mapfumo on the left side of his head using a 300AH battery that was in the house.
One of the robbers pointed the firearm at Mapfumo, ordering him to surrender all the cash and the car keys.
Fearing for his life, he told the robbers where he had hidden the cash. The robber who was on guard in the kitchen was given the car keys and instructed to check for the cash in the car.
After a few minutes, the one who had gone to look for the money indicated that he had found it, and said they had to leave immediately.
They assaulted Mapfumo’s mother before they all got into his car and fled. Mapfumo gave chase with the assistance of his neighbours but failed to catch up with the robbers.
The car was found dumped in Acturus without its tyres and battery. In another count, the gang robbed Glow Petroleum Service Station in Bindura and got away with US$6 000 and a pistol that was in the safe.
Tambudzai Masamvi appeared for the State.
