Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
A PROMINENT Bindura lawyer, Elatone Bonongwe, has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after being convicted of masterminding a violent robbery that left a Pfura Rural District Council engineer seriously injured.
High Court judge Pisirayi Kwenda sentenced Bonongwe and his accomplices, Musa Gandi, Justin Mwale and Terrence Musingwino, to 20 years imprisonment each, with five years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Co-accused Aubrey Chipashu and Agnes Kunaka were each sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, with five years suspended on similar conditions.
The robbery occurred on October 26, 2025, at the Mt Darwin residence of Engineer Emson Chitsungo.
The court heard that Bonongwe hatched the plan earlier that month and enlisted his uncle, Gandi, to assemble a team.
The gang armed themselves with an AK-47, a bayonet knife and iron bars before travelling to Mt Darwin in a Toyota Sienta.
Bonongwe allegedly identified the target house before parting ways with the group.
The attackers scaled a precast wall to gain entry and launched a brutal assault on Eng Chitsungo, burning him with a hot iron while demanding cash and valuables.
He suffered fractures to his forearm and severe swelling in both feet.
The gang stole clothes, electrical gadgets and US$1 600 in cash, with the total value of stolen property amounting to US$30 049.
Police intercepted the suspects at a Mazowe roadblock as they attempted to flee towards Harare.
The group tried to escape, prompting officers from the Support Unit to fire warning shots. Four suspects were arrested at the scene, while others were later apprehended.
Recovered in the vehicle were some of the stolen goods and weapons used in the attack. Investigations also uncovered WhatsApp messages linking Bonongwe to the plot, including instructions to assemble the robbery team.
Property worth US$21 000 was recovered.
The conviction and sentencing mark a dramatic fall from grace for Bonongwe, once a respected legal practitioner.
