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TWO Bulawayo friends who allegedly turned the city into a hunting ground have been dragged to court after a violent robbery spree that left residents shaken.
Clifford Desmond Nare (34) and Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati (29) are accused of roaming the city armed with a pistol and knives, robbing four people in just one day and leaving a trail of fear.
The duo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mark Dzira and were remanded in custody until 8 September pending further investigations.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that the two launched their reign of terror on 2 March, targeting victims around Kelvin West and Nkulumane.
At Pure Gas in Kelvin West, the pair pounced on Stephen Binamu, threatening to stab him and shoot him. Fearing for his life, Binamu surrendered a Pardus 12-bore shotgun he was carrying.
Moments later, they turned on another victim, Vusi Dhlamini, also at Pure Gas. Brandishing a pistol and knife, they forced him to hand over US$116.
Their blood trail continued at DA Garage in Nkulumane 12 where they confronted Mungai Sango. Again, they threatened to stab and shoot him, forcing him to give up US$91.
Not done, the pair attacked Lovemore Sibanda at the same garage. They struck him with the butt of a pistol before making off with his US$60.
The final act of the day saw them cornering Tawanda Madava. Using the same violent threats, they robbed him of his Optima 12-bore shotgun, serial number 67887.
The court heard that the gang relied on sheer violence, alternating between knives, pistols and shotguns to instil terror and strip their victims of property and cash.
Now cooling their heels behind bars, the two await trial as police piece together more cases linked to their alleged rampage.
