Macadamia nuts thieves nabbed

Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
THE long arm of the law finally caught up with eight men who allegedly connived to steal macadamia nuts valued at $24 000 from a Chimanimani estate.

Perfect Mudeya (21), John Sithole (23), Alpha Mudzara (18), Shadreck Munyanyiwa (18), Hardlife Sithole (18), Ringisai Mugabeya (26), John Mhlanga (31) and Sudden Makoni (23) of Chimanimani on Wednesday appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira, facing robbery charges as defined in Section 126 (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The accused were represented by Mr Langton Mhungu of Matutu, Kwirira Associates law firm.

They pleaded not guilty.

The State led by Mr Regis Mawarire alleged that on March 14, the accused persons hatched a plan to steal macadamia nuts at Rathmore Estate in Chimanimani.

“Before they arrived at the farm, the eight accused persons approached Time Mudzokora to ferry their goods from the farm to Machongwe Business Centre.

“The accused agreed to pay $40 for the vehicle hire. They drove to the farm and when they arrived at the gate, they disembarked. They were armed with knives and logs.

“The accused instructed the driver to stay at the gate. They went to the storeroom and attacked two security guards who were manning the storeroom.

“They assaulted them with logs and stabbed them all over their bodies with knives.”

“They forcibly opened the door to the storeroom and stole 2 000 kilogrammes of macadamia nuts which they loaded onto their vehicle. They vanished from the scene,” said Mr Mawarire.

He said David Katerere, a guard at a nearby estate tried to stop the vehicle, but only managed to capture the vehicle registration numbers.

He made a police report.

“A follow-up was made and the vehicle owner was tracked through VID registration details. Time Mudzokora, the vehicle owner then helped the police to identify the culprits,” said Mr Mawarire.

In their defence, the accused’s attorney, Mr Mhungu said the eight accused persons never committed the alleged offence.

He applied for their discharge.

“Your Worship, my clients never robbed anyone or attempted to rob anyone. They are even surprised at being arrested since there is no one from the accused persons who was found in possession of the stolen nuts.

“The State should look for real perpetrators and free the accused persons,” he argued.