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A gang of four armed robbers who went on a robbing spree in and around Rusape targeting shops, bottle stores and schools getting away with cash, food stuffs and electrical goods have been jailed for a combined 165 years. The gang which carried its operations armed with rifles and iron bars was convicted of 10 counts of armed robbery. The total value of their loot is US$8 000.
The quartet are Caleb Mutoriti (31) of 132 Zimunya in Mutare, Gwinyai Ziyengwa (25) of no fixed abode, Tatenda Matambo (28) of 116 Zimunya and Chakanetsa Mafondokoto (26) of 490 Zimunya.
The four who were not represented pleaded guilty to some counts and denied others. Mutoriti and Ziyengwa were found guilty of eight counts and will serve 40 years each while Matambo was convicted of all the counts and was jailed for 50 years and Mafondokoto was found guilty of seven counts and will serve 35 years.
Rusape regional magistrate Mr Livingstone Chipadza however suspended 15 years on each on condition of good behaviour.
Rusape Area prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira told the court that the dangerous gang would approach unsuspecting shopkeepers and headmasters and fire shots into the air to scare them off before robbing them.
On 6 April, 2015 at around 7pm at Buffalo Tuckshop in Nyazura the complainant David Zunidza was preparing to close shop. The accused persons armed with two rifles approached the complainant and clients who were finishing off their drinks. Accused persons fired a single shot in the air and ordered everyone to lie down before robbing them cellphones, beer and cash.
On 10 April, 2015 the accused persons armed with two rifles robbed Bernadette Mariwo a shopkeeper at Rufaro store at Muziti Business Centre. The accused persons fired a shot in the air before they snatched the bag that the complainant was holding. The snatched bag had three cell phones, cash and airtime recharge cards.
On 12 April, 2015 around 2330hrs at Umthombo Bar in Rusape the accused persons approached the guards on duty armed with two rifles and threatened to shoot them before they forced the door of the bar open by destroying it with an axe, they stole 40 inch plasma television, beer, spirits and groceries.
On 29 April, 2015 the accused persons armed with two rifles robbed Memory Reuben who operates A and C Investments at Chiware business centre. They stole 40 inch television, an amplifier, DVD, cellphones, juice cards, cash, beer and assorted groceries.
On 6 May, 2015 the accused persons armed with two rifles approached Bridget Mukwewa a shopkeeper at Mukwekwe Trading Store in Chiendambuya. They threatened to kill her and went on to assault her with an iron bar on the left arm causing serious injuries. They stole cash, cellphone and groceries from the shop.
On the same day at Mukwekwe Bottle store in Chiendambuya the accused persons armed with two rifles approached Kudzanayi Masara a bar tender. They demanded all beer patrons and the complainant be on their knees at the same time firing one shot from a rifle into the ceiling prompting everyone to comply. Accused persons then stole cash, cellphones, beer, cigarettes. They then also distributed beer among the patrons and ordered them to drink before they fled in darkness.
On 12 May the accused person robbed Muziti Primary and Secondary schools and got away with cash, cellphones, laptops after forcing the School headmasters at gun point. On 31 May, 2015 the accused persons armed with two rifles robbed Matinyarare General Dealer of Chitenderano. They approached the security guard on duty, grabbed him by the neck, threatened to shot him with a rifle, assaulted him with an iron rod till he lost consciousness. They then stole groceries and cash.
“On 2 June 2015 the accused persons armed with two rifles robbed Nhamo Gwishiri who operates Gwishiri shop in Gandanzara. They stole cash and foodstuffs.
Mr Mutyasira also told the court that police attended all the scenes and recovered spent cartridges. Police also recovered the two rifles from the accused persons when they were arrested.
Online Reporter