Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO brothers, who allegedly carried out a series of sexual assaults and armed robberies at several homes in Harare last month, are now facing TWENTY FOUR counts of rape, indecent assault and robbery.
The attacks happened during NINE days of terror in those areas in and around the capital.
Fortune Ngoshi (32) and Pride Ngoshi (29) appeared before Harare Magistrate, Feresi Chakanyuka, yesterday and they were not asked to plead.
They were remanded in custody.
Prosecutors claim that during the robbery spree, several female complainants were sexually assaulted while others were robbed of cellphones, cash and other valuables.
Some of the complainants were juveniles, whose identities are being withheld in accordance with the law.
The State alleges that between June 19 and June 28 this year, the pair, acting in the company of accomplices who are still at large, targeted several houses in Harare while armed with pistols, machetes, knives and other weapons.
It is alleged that in one of the incidents, the gang forced their way into a White Cliff home where they robbed the complainant of cash, groceries and household property worth hundreds of United States dollars.
The State also alleges that the gang stole numerous cellphones, laptops, watches, groceries and other household items from different complainants.
In one of the incidents, they allegedly made away with more than US$2,800 worth of property, while another complainant lost over US$1,600 in cash and valuables.
Police investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property, including cellphones, a laptop battery and a pistol allegedly used during the commission of one of the crimes.
Some of the properties are yet to be recovered.
The State opposed bail, arguing that the offences are serious and carry severe penalties if the accused are convicted.
Prosecutors also submitted that the accused have strong incentives to abscond, could interfere with witnesses who live in the same communities, and may jeopardise ongoing investigations as some of their accomplices remain at large.
The prosecution further argued that the accused have no fixed residences, making them difficult to locate if released, while some of the stolen property has not yet been recovered.
