Online Reporter
Mashudu Mambo
A TRIO from Inyathi in Matabeleland North province has been dragged to court for armed robbery after they stole property worth about US$2 000 from unsuspecting customers under the pretext of being taxi drivers.
Ocean Mpofu (20), William Khumalo (26) and Bulisani Moyo (18) were arraigned before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza for four charges of armed robbery.
Khumalo pleaded not guilty to the charges while Mpofu and Moyo admitted to the offences. The trio was remanded in custody to 3 March for continuation of trial.
Allegations against the trio are that on 18 November 2024 at around 4pm, they lured a customer, Nomusa Dube into their blue Honda Fit at Ebenezer garage in Inyathi.
The victim unsuspectedly boarded the vehicle carrying her belongings that entailed a Samsung A05 cellphone, a satchel containing clothes, a yellow purse with bank cards and $42.
Mpofu started driving the car to Lonely area with Khumalo and Moyo on board.
The trio picked up another male passenger and they stopped at a closed fuel station under the pretext of refuelling the vehicle.
The gang proceeded to the agreed direction but when they reached Mancotil area, Mpofu suddenly stopped the vehicle and switched seats with Khumalo. He brandished a gun and demanded the victim’s belongings.
He forced the victim out of the car after stealing her possessions and she reported the matter to the police.
On the same day, the trio met up with Thandanani Ncube (44) who boarded their vehicle at Ebenezer garage. He was carrying some groceries that included mealie meal, maize seeds and a three-legged silver pot.
The trio took the victim to a secluded place, pointed the gun at his forehead and demanded his cellphone.
Ncube told the culprits that he did not have a cellphone and one of the culprits drew out a knife and ordered him to leave all his possessions.
The trio forced the victim out of the vehicle. The matter was reported to the police.
On 21 November 2024 at around 5am, the trio lured another unsuspecting victim, Butho Moyo into their vehicle.
In the same fashion, they drove into a bushy area and demanded some money and cellphones.
He surrendered his bag which contained some cellphones and they forced him out of the vehicle. The victim reported the matter to the police.
They proceeded to approach another victim, Loveletter Tshabalala (50) and they drove to a secluded area and robbed her in the same fashion as the other victims.
The trio stole her Itel S23 cellphone and US$100 and forced her out of the vehicle.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations were carried out leading to the recovery of goods worth US$420.
