Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
A 35 YEAR-OLD repeat offender who engaged in a robbery spree in which he targeted community members for cellphones and cash at gunpoint has been sentenced to an effective six years in jail.
Nkosana Makheto appeared last Friday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mathew Mutiro, who convicted him of armed robbery and sentenced him to seven years in jail.
The magistrate suspended a year on condition that Makheto pays US$625 restitution. He will effectively spend six years in prison.
In sentencing him, Mr Mutiro said: “The offender committed a serious crime and cases of armed robbery have become prevalent. The courts frown upon such. “In some instances he pounced on homes where females stayed alone and threatened them.
“That kind of behaviour is not tolerated and a clear message should be sent to like-minded people.”
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that on 18 April 2026 at around 8:30PM, Makheto approached the complainant, who had parked a taxi at a hotel located near the corner of 9th Avenue and Lobengula Street.
“Makheto, who was wearing a black hooded jacket and a navy blue work suit with reflectors, purported to be a genuine customer and hired the complainant to ferry him to Mighty Club at Bellevue shopping centre, Bulawayo,” he said.
“Along the way, he requested the driver to pass through number 59 Balfour Road, Bellevue, to collect his friend. As the driver was driving along Balfour Road, Makheto pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the complainant while demanding money and cellphones,” said Mr Mugari.
The court heard that the complainant surrendered a cellphone and US$20, after which Makheto disembarked and disappeared into the darkness.
Mr Mugari further told the court that on 19 April 2026, shortly after 7:00PM, Makheto boarded an omnibus driven by the complainant at Tshabalala Extension, pretending to be a genuine customer travelling to the city centre.
“When they were at Bellevue, Makheto produced a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the conductor. He demanded cellphones and money, and the driver handed him a cellphone and US$90,” said Mr Mugari.
“After committing the offence, he disembarked and told the driver to drive away. The driver proceeded to Donnington Police Station where he reported the incident,” Mr Mugari told the court.
Later that same day, Makheto boarded a kombi near Bellevue and, as soon as he was seated, produced his firearm and demanded cash. The conductor gave him a cellphone, after which he disembarked and ordered the crew to drive off.
The court further heard that on 18 April 2026, shortly after 11:30PM, Makheto boarded a taxi from the city centre and requested to be dropped in Sizinda suburb.
“When the driver was near the Westgate turn along Birkenhead Road, Makheto pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the complainant, who was one of two passengers aboard the taxi. He demanded cash and cellphones. The complainant handed over US$30 and an Itel A50 cellphone,” the court heard.
The court also heard that on 19 April 2026, at around 12:50AM, a complainant was at a nightclub situated at the corner of 9th Avenue and George Silundika Street and boarded a taxi intending to proceed to another nightclub.
“The driver requested to first drop off the customer who was going to Sizinda suburb. When the driver reached the Westgate turn along Birkenhead Road, Makheto pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the complainant aboard the taxi.
He demanded cash and cellphones. The complainant handed over US$30 and a Samsung F13 cellphone, and Makheto went away,” said Mr Mugari.
On 19 April 2026, at around 8:00 p.m., the complainant was driving a Toyota Probox and picked up Makheto at the Emakhandeni robots, who claimed he was on his way to the city centre.
“The driver stopped for a red robot and Makheto, who was occupying the front passenger seat, threatened to shoot the complainant and ordered him to hand over cash. The complainant handed over US$65 and a cellphone. After taking the property, he disembarked and instructed the complainant to drive away,” it was heard in court.
Furthermore, on 9 May at around 9PM, a complainant was driving a Honda Fit and picked up Makheto on Northleah Road, who said he was heading to the city centre.
“When the complainant was along Dundee Road on his way to town, Makheto produced a black pistol and instructed the driver to pull off the road. He demanded money from the complainant, who gave him US$40. Makheto disembarked, heading into a bushy area after telling him not to look back.
The complainant noticed where he was hiding and mobilised his friends, who managed to apprehend him and recover all the stolen money and a Blow F92 9mm calibre blank gun, serial number Z2YBKMAYS022602299,” the court heard.
Makheto was taken to ZRP Donnington with the recovered property. It was stated that on 11 May, an identification parade was conducted, and the complainant managed to identify Makheto.
It is not his first brush with the law as in February this year, he was arrested for theft and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years. A further three months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant the sum of US$110.
The remaining six months were suspended on condition that he completes 210 hours of community service at Donnington Police Station.
