Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to an effective 10 years in prison for attacking a Bulawayo resident with a machete and robbing him of a cellphone, shoes, a cap and cash near Ngozi Mine dumping site.
Sambulo Bhebhe, who has no fixed abode, was convicted of armed robbery by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze. He was sentenced to 12 years behind bars, with two years suspended for five years on condition of that he does not commit a similar crime within that period, leaving him to serve 10 years.
His co-accused, Siyabonga Banda (20), walked free after the court found no prima facie case against him and acquitted him of the charges.
The prosecutor Mr Milton Moyo told the court that the robbery occurred on 3 May at around 11AM. The complainant, Sydney Mpofu (33), was walking towards the Ngozi Mine dumpsite when he was confronted by three men, including Bhebhe, who was armed with a machete.
“Mpofu attempted to flee, but Bhebhe blocked his path and struck him once on the head with the machete and he fell to the ground,” said Mr Moyo. “
The court heard that Bhebhe then stole the complainant’s cellphone and a wallet containing US$150 and R1 400.
Before fleeing the scene, the accused also forced Mpofu to hand over his pair of shoes and a white cap.
Bhebhe was arrested more than two months later, on 21 July, after Mpofu spotted him drinking beer at a sports bar along Lobengula Street in the city centre. He immediately reported the matter at Mzilikazi Police Station leading to Bhebhe’s arrest.
During interrogation, Bhebhe implicated Banda, but the court found insufficient evidence linking Banda to the crime, resulting in his acquittal.
Bongani Ndlovu