Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
TWO men have been sentenced to six years each in prison after being found guilty of storming a house in Budiriro, Harare, and stealing valuables, including cash, cellphones and a vehicle.
Vengal Savieri (47) and Garry Munetsiwa (25) were convicted after a full trial before Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei.
Initially, they were sentenced to 10 years in prison, before four years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The complainant, 26-year-old Zein Chichetu, who owns a grocery shop at Budiriro 5B complex, was at home with his family and employees when the attack occurred.
Prosecutor Tendai Tapi proved that on March 22, 2025, at around 8.30pm, the two convicts, along with accomplices still at large, hatched a plan to rob Chichetu and his family at their residence.
Armed with pistols and an iron bar, the robbers arrived at the house and began their assault by ambushing Chichetu’s friend, Stanley Jambwa, who was sitting in a vehicle parked at the gate.
Jambwa was force-marched into the house where the robbers attacked and subdued Chichetu, his mother, Efilda Gwenzi, his wife Nyasha Fambi, his cousin Christine Gwenzi, and three employees, namely Tafadzwa Chinyoka, Kudakwashe Munhenga and Beryl Saunyama.
The robbers demanded cash from Chichetu and his mother, and the family surrendered $1 000 in cash.
The robbers then ransacked the house, taking a variety of items, including a Samsung A14 cellphone, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a Samsung S523 cellphone, US$80 cash, a Huawei Y9 cellphone, a suitcase filled with groceries and an iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The stolen items, valued at US$19 283, were loaded into Chichetu’s Toyota Baby Quantum, which the robbers used to flee the scene. The vehicle was later found abandoned along High Glen Road.
