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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO men from Gwanda have been sentenced to 42 months in prison for kidnapping and robbing a man after accusing him of damaging their vehicle.
Ronald Vela (24) of Spitzkop North Extension and Albert Gumede (22) of Phakama suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and robbery but were convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda magistrate, Mr Frenklin Mkwananzi.
They were each sentenced to 42 months in jail of which 22 months were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years. Two months were further suspended on condition that they pay $30 restitution to the complainant. They will serve an effective 18 months.
Prosecuting, Miss Faith Mutukwa said Vela and Ngwenya kidnapped Mr Mncedisi Mabhanga on October 13 at around 10PM and robbed him of $30 and R1 000.
‘’On 13 October the two accused persons in the company of Ishmael Gumbo who is still at large went to Cry Mantengwane Sports Bar in a Fun Cargo which belongs to Gumede. Vela was approached by Wilson Phiri who told him that the complainant was the one who had damaged the vehicle sometime in August 2019.
“Vela and Gumede with the assistance of Phiri manhandled Mabhanga and they shoved him into their motor vehicle and drove away with him to Gumede’s place of residence. They tied his hands with a rope,’’ she said.
Miss Mutukwa said Vela and Gumede went on to assault Mabhanga with a hammer on the face before taking $30 from his trousers’ pocket.
She said the pair put Mabhanga back into the car, threatened to stab him with a knife and demanded cash.
Miss Mutukwa said Mabhanga pleaded with Vela and Gumede and told them that he had money in his house. She said the pair drove to Mabhanga’s house where he gave them R1 000 before they untied him and released him at around 4AM the following day. —@DubeMatutu.
Online Reporter