adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
THE trial of a gang facing a combined ninety charges, including rape and robbery, was the only business at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Court A was the theatre where the drama played out, with the court’s gallery filled to capacity — a majority of those present, victims of a 10-man crimewave targeting Cowdray Park and Luveve suburbs.
Eight members of the gang were jailed for a combined 629 years. A ninth man is in hospital nursing gunshot wounds after trying to evade arrest while the tenth suspect is on the run.
Regional magistrates Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze, Mark Dzira and Chrispen Mberewere had a torrid time presiding over the cases.
Horrific details of the crime syndicate’s handiwork emerged in court. One victim, who was raped, told The Chronicle: “I’ll never get over it. I’m just delighted for other women that these men are gone, and they’re gone for good. They’ll never get out.”
The convicts, to the surprise of many, apologised to their victims and said they were also sorry to their communities and families.
There was high praise for the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the judicial system for solving a series of crimes which had left residents in complete despair.
Online Reporter