adminEmmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
Getting overexcited with stolen money has landed a Mutare man in trouble after he flaunted his loot of thousands of United States dollars to his brother and tried to buy his silence with US$20.
After robbing his uncle of US$ 7 190 and ZWL$ 200 in a midnight machete attack, Lewis Mapfunde (43) went on to brag about his ‘‘rich pickings’’ to his brother and gave him US$20.
However, the brother could not be silenced and he reported the matter to the police leading to Mapfunde’s arrest.
He was sentenced to four years in jail by Mutare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe after he pleaded guilty to the theft.
He is also accused of robbing his uncle of 180 grammes of gold during the heist, but he is denying the allegations. The latter case will be heard on July 5.
Public prosecutor Miss Perseverance Chisukuto heard that on June 9, at around midnight, Mapfunde hatched a plan to rob his uncle Fungai Mapfunde.
He connived with three other men who were armed with machetes and unknown spraying substances and proceeded to his uncle’s homestead at number 3 Premier Central, Penhalonga.
Mapfunde forcefully opened the door and one his accomplices struck Fungai once on the right knee leg and the other sprayed the unknown substance to his face and temporarily blinded him.
Mapfunde then demanded cash from his uncle and made well their escape with 180g of gold and the money.
The value of property stolen was US$14 030 and only US$350 was recovered upon his arrest.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter