adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A Zimbabwean based in South Africa fell prey to four conmen who claimed to be police officers on New Year’s eve and allegedly robbed him of 49,000 rand at Ramokgwebana bridge along Bulawayo- Francis Town Road.Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa heard how David Rwaturinde, 31, Godfrey Zhaje, 21, Sebastian Matemadanda, 23, and Brian Mandishora, 31, all from Plumtree ambushed Victor Moyo who was travelling in a car to Zimbabwe via Botswana.
The quartet demanded a bribe under the pretext of being police officers on a patrol around the border area. When Moyo declined, the crew violently searched him and stole R49, 000 which he had in his possession.
Prosecuting, Paul Mpofu narrated how the complainant lost his money to the four robbers on December 29, 2013 around 7pm.
“The complainant was driving past no man’s land around 7pm. He met the accused persons at Ramokgwebana bridge along Bulawayo- Francistown Road. They stopped him and they indicated that they were police officers who were patrolling the border area,” Mpofu said.
“They accused the complainant of entering the country through an illegal point and demanded a bribe from him. He declined and they ordered him out of the car they violently searched him and his vehicle.”
Mpofu added: The accused persons discovered R49, 000 hidden in his vehicle and they stole it. The complainant reported the incident leading to the arrest of the four accused at Ramokgwebana bridge on the same day.”
Testifying in court Moyo said: “I was on my way from South Africa to visit my family in Plumtree. I drove through Botswana and on my way I was stopped by one of the accused persons. His three other accomplices appeared from the bushes and they indicated that they were police officers on patrol.
“They accused me of illegally entering the country and they demanded a bribe. I declined and that is when they pulled me out of the car. They searched me and went on to search my car and they ran away with my money,” he said.
The four accused denied the allegations saying they never met the complainant. They were remanded in custody to January 7.
Online Reporter