Online Reporter
Aaron Nyamayaro
Four members of an armed robbery gang have been jailed 82 years each following a spate of armed robberies they committed in one night at a business centre in Murehwa.
A Murehwa magistrate recently convicted Charles Munyaradzi Dhokotera (42), Donald Travolta Matunhu (28), Mayor Sibanda (34) and Bothwell Kamwendo (40) of nine counts of armed robbery. Colonel Madzima (24) who was facing similar charges was acquitted. The court suspended 10 years on condition of good behaviour for each of the gang members and another year if they restitute US$407 each while ordering some of the sentences on the separate counts to run concurrently, leaving them to serve an effective 44 years.
The gang committed the robberies in April this year at Nyamuzara Business Centre in Murehwa.
Armed with rifles, a pistol and batons, the quartet invaded a bar, threatened patrons and indiscriminately assaulted the revellers demanding cash and valuables.
They ransacked the bar before proceeding to the owner’s house where they stole various goods and fled in their getaway car, a Toyota Aqua on registration number AGC 2677.
The vigilant community mobilised and tracked the gang’s car until they spotted it and made a police report leading to the arrest of the four robbers.
“A total of three firearms, namely a 38 special revolver, double barrel short gun loaded with 5 by 12 bore live rounds, a short gun loaded with 5 by 12 bore live rounds, 2 dummy pistols, a pair of handcuffs, two button sticks and one sjambok, were recovered amongst other items, hidden in a bush near Shavanhowe Bridge in Murehwa,” said Police CID spokesperaon Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri.
“The accused persons appeared before Magistrate Loyce Mukunyadzi at Murehwa Regional Magistrate Court and Roney Toma appeared for the State.
“On January 16, 2026, the accused persons were subsequently convicted and sentenced to a total of 82 years imprisonment each and a total of 10 years suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, one year suspended on condition of restitution of US$407 each, count 1,2,3 to run concurrently with counts 5, 6, and 7. They will serve an effective 44 years’ imprisonment each.”
Det Insp Muteweri said the Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to applaud the public for their sterling efforts in the fight against crime, urging them to continue to be alert and report criminal activities in neighbourhoods.
