Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
A FINGERPRINT expert has told a Bulawayo court that forensic evidence did not link one of four men accused of going on an armed robbery spree targeting homes in Old Luveve, Nkulumane, Cowdray Park and Mahatshula.
Joseph Phiri, Trust Adam Mubvumbi, Challenge Neta and Wellington Nyakurima Phiri are facing seven counts of armed robbery.
The four appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
They are represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.
Giving evidence, a fingerprint expert told the court that fingerprints lifted from some of the crime scenes did not match those of Joseph Phiri, although they allegedly matched the fingerprints of the other accused persons.
“The fingerprints, which were lifted from the crime scene, did not match Phiri’s fingerprints. However, they matched those of the other accused persons,” said the expert.
The forensic evidence emerged as the State continued presenting its case against the four men, who are accused of terrorising residents during a series of night-time robberies.
The alleged gang is said to have used machetes, a pistol and other weapons to intimidate victims, with some complainants telling the court that they were too frightened to properly observe their attackers.
Ms Mary Moyo told the court that she was unable to identify the robbers after one of them allegedly threatened her with a machete and demanded money.
Another complainant, Mr Delen Kanengoni, said he was attacked with a machete and ordered to lie face down.
Ms Tanyaradzwa Moyo said the robbers had also concealed their identities.
“One of the accused was wearing a balaclava while the other ones had covered their faces with hats,” she said.
Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika said the alleged gang embarked on the robbery spree in December last year, targeting several households in a single night.
The State alleges that on December 15, shortly before 1AM, the four accused, together with accomplices identified only as Gift, Paulos and Mehluli, targeted a family home in Nkulumane.
“They were armed with a pistol, an iron rod and a machete. They scaled the precast wall and entered the yard. They smashed a window and got inside before demanding cash from the complainant.
They took US$317 and four cellphones before leaving,” said Ms Manyika.
The gang allegedly proceeded to Cowdray Park, where they targeted the home of a 54-year-old woman.
“They scaled the precast wall and entered the yard before breaking down the main door. They found the woman asleep, woke her up and demanded cash. She gave them US$203 and cellphones before they left,” said Ms Manyika.
The court heard that the gang then allegedly broke into another Cowdray Park home, where they found a 28-year-old man asleep.
“They found the gate unlocked and entered. They broke a door and entered the kitchen, then headed to a bedroom where a 28-year-old man was sleeping. They woke him up and demanded cash,” said Ms Manyika.
The accused allegedly took US$1 805 from a wardrobe before fleeing.
Five days later, the gang allegedly resumed its activities in Old Luveve.
According to the State, shortly after midnight, they knocked on the bedroom window of a 28-year-old man.
“He opened the door and they entered. They demanded cash, punched and strangled him. He surrendered US$26 and two cellphones before they left,” said Ms Manyika.
On the same night, the accused allegedly broke into another Old Luveve home and confronted a 47-year-old pastor.
The gang allegedly demanded money while threatening to kill him, prompting the pastor to hand over US$420 and R500.
Later, at about 1.30AM, the accused allegedly robbed another man after ransacking his house and taking US$13 and R100.
The State further alleges that the gang proceeded to a tuckshop, where it stole US$1 000 and R15 00.
The alleged robbery spree ended at another Old Luveve home, where the gang allegedly stole US$9 100 before fleeing.
The incidents were reported to the police, leading to investigations and the subsequent arrest of the four accused.
The trial was postponed to September 2 for continuation.
