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Mashudu Mambo
TWO men from Bulawayo have appeared in court for armed robbery and carjacking following allegations that they stole a motor vehicle and threatened the taxi driver with a knife and an axe.
Talent Tshange (31) from Cowdray Park suburb and Luckson Mlilo (29) from Nkulumane suburb pleaded not guilty to the charges before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Joseph Mabeza.
They were remanded to Friday for judgment. Allegations against the duo are that on 22 March 2024 at around 11pm, they met a taxi driver, Titus Masiya and requested to hire his vehicle to Pumula South suburb.
Masiya agreed and the duo together with their other accomplices Hluphekile Nkomo and Bhekimpilo Nkomo whose case had already been finalised before the courts proceeded to Pumula South.
The gang paid Masiya US$20 and when they got to Emthunzini suburb they ordered him to turn into an unnamed road and stop the vehicle.
One of the suspects grabbed Masiya by his neck and searched him. They took his cellphone, US$20, driver’s licence and a Bulawayo City Council badge. Masiya was dragged out of the car and they threatened him with an axe and a jungle knife.
The victim was tripped to the ground, they used pepper spray on his face and covered his mouth with a mutton cloth.
They proceeded to tie his hands with a mutton cloth and they used his jacket to tie his legs and then sped off in his vehicle.
The victim managed to untie himself and got help from a nearby resident who contacted his employer and the matter was reported to the police.
On 23 March 2024, police received information leading to the recovery of the vehicle, which was parked opposite a church in Cowdray Park suburb and the vehicle number plates had been removed and placed behind the front passenger’s seat.
Investigations were carried out, leading to the arrest of the duo and Tshange led the police to where he had hidden the knife. The value of stolen car and goods was US$4 132 and value of the recovered car was US$4 000.
Online Reporter