Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
TWO Vumbunu sisters and their accomplice breathed a sigh of relief after the case linking them to armed robbers collapsed due to a lack of evidence.
Florence Chishiri (33), Georgina Vumbunu (35), and Sekai Vumbunu (45) were arrested for allegedly supplying information to Solomon Dube (28) and Nekemiah Dhladhla (38). They appeared in court on Tuesday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mark Dzira, facing conspiracy charges.
However, the State, represented by Ms Hazel Ncube, withdrew the case before plea due to a lack of evidence linking them to the robbery, which involved R1,200, US$1,050 and goods valued at US$24 800.
Prosecuting, Ms Ncube told the court that the Vumbunu sisters and Chishiri allegedly supplied information to Dhladhla, Dube and their two accomplices, who are still at large, to execute the robbery.
“On the same day, shortly after 7PM, Dhladhla and his accomplices waylaid the complainant at her employer’s residence as she went to surrender US$1 630 in the company of her colleague,” she said.
Armed with pistols, they approached the complainant, who was holding the cash, pointed a pistol at her, and asked for the whereabouts of her employer, while demanding cash and valuables.
“They forcibly took US$1,630 and ransacked the sitting room, where they took a bottle of Amarula and a bottle of Tequila,” said Ms Ncube.
She further told the court that Dhladhla and his accomplices swiftly dashed to the bedroom and combed through it.
They stumbled upon a cash safe containing two gold wedding rings, 80-litre fuel coupons valued at US$120, cash amounting to US$22,000, and R1,200. They then fled with the loot and cash, the court heard.
The matter was reported to the police, and detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide in Bulawayo carried out investigations, leading to the arrest of Dhladhla and Dube, who then implicated the Vumbunu sisters and Chishiri.
derick.khumalo