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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
An ex-soldier, who committed a spate of robberies and carjackings at gunpoint, was jailed an effective six years yesterday.
Unity Mutsure (26) of 1658 Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza pleaded not guilty, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence against him.
Harare regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya sentenced Muture to nine years in prison before suspending three years for five years, on condition of good behaviour.
The Lorcin pistol he used was forfeited to the State.
Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu, proved that on December 12 last year, Mutsure was in the company of accomplices Tinashe Muguti, Tinashe Matinyenya, Eden Chikahamadze and Forge Nyono, who are still on the run.
Others, Musa Chidawo and Herbet Hakurotwi were shot dead while fleeing from the police.
The court heard that the gang was driving a white Mazda B-series truck and they blocked Silence Mwanjila’s car, a silver Toyata Raum.
Mwanjila was on her way to drop an employee, Olivia Muhezwa.
Mutsure drew a pistol and pointed it on Mwanjila’s forehead demanding $20 000.
He then ordered Muhezwa and other passengers, Takudzwa Changayi and Philip Chakanyuka to disembark and lie on the ground.
Mutsure’s accomplices who were wielding machetes, knives and iron bars stole cell phones from them.
They forced the victims into Mutsure’s car while one of his accomplices took over Mwanjila’s car.
They later dumped them in a bushy area in Snake Park near Lake Chivero and sped off in both cars.
On March 22 this year, Kadoma Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives received a tip-off that armed robbers were roaming Rumwe Shopping Centre.
Detectives proceeded to the shopping centre and Hakurotwi withdrew a pistol, but was shot first.
Mutsure was arrested on April 29 in Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza following a high-speed chase.
Online Reporter