Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
A GOLD panner’s hunt for quick cash has landed him behind bars after he turned from digging gold to snatching dollars in the industrial area of Chegutu.
Cephas Muradza (25), an artisanal miner, has been jailed for six months after being convicted of robbery at the Chegutu Magistrates Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Muradza and his still-at-large accomplice ambushed a 36-year-old man on a footpath in the Chegutu Industrial Area ON 16 July this year.
“They struck the victim on the head with an unknown object, grabbed him by the neck and legs, pinned him down and forcibly took his sling bag,” said the NPAZ.
Inside the bag was US$2 970. However, the windfall didn’t last long. The victim screamed for help, drawing the attention of locals who gave chase and cornered the robber before he could make his getaway.
“The offender was immediately apprehended with the help of members of the public following a short chase. He then assisted in the recovery of the stolen money and the sling bag,” added the NPAZ.
Muradza’s luck officially ran out when the court sentenced him to 10 months imprisonment, with four months suspended for five years — leaving him with six months of hard time to reflect on his gold-to-grab blunder.
