Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Zimpapers Writer
FIVE machete gang members who allegedly smashed a wind screen of a Honda Fit vehicle before attacking and robbing seven people in Bulawayo appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate facing charges of malicious damage to property and six charges of armed robbery.
Mpho Ncube, Thabani Zondo, Thembelani Sibanda, Ashton Ncube and Shelton Ngwenya appeared before regional magistrate Mark Dzira on Tuesday.
They were represented by their lawyer, Mr Tinashe Runganga, of Tanaka Law Chambers.
The group pleaded not guilty to the charges and applied for bail. In his application, Mr Runganga argued that the suspects were not flight risk as they cooperated well with police during investigations.
He stated that the crew supplied police with their addresses and if they were granted bail they would stay at the addresses they supplied the court.
However, the State represented by Siphiwe Mhlanga opposed the bail application stating that the suspects used dangerous weapons, which include machetes, Colombian knife and stones to destroy a Honda Fit of one of the complaints and they are a danger to the society. She said the suspects committed the crimes in aggravating circumstances stating that the malicious damage to property carries a maximum of 10 years sentence and armed robbery carries a maximum of 20 years sentence.
In light of that there is high possibility that they will run away to avoid being jailed if they are convicted and sentenced.
The group has been remanded in custody to September 5 for bail ruling.
More to follow
