Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Zimpapers Writer
FIVE suspected machete gang members appeared in court yesterday following a series of violent robberies in Bulawayo.
Mpho Ncube, Thabani Zondo, Thembelani Sibanda, Ashton Ncube, and Shelton Ngwenya appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira, facing charges of armed robbery and malicious damage to property.
The accused were remanded in custody to September 5 for a ruling on their bail application.
Through their lawyer, Mr Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers, the five pleaded not guilty and argued they were not a flight risk, noting they had fully co-operated with police and provided their residential addresses.
The State, represented by Ms Siphiwe Mhlanga, opposed bail, citing the severity of the offences and the potential risk to society.
“The accused used dangerous weapons, including machetes, a Colombian knife and stones to smash a Honda Fit windscreen before stoning the occupants. They are a danger to society,” said Ms Mhlanga.
She said that malicious damage to property carries a maximum 10-year sentence, while armed robbery can attract up to 20 years, increasing the likelihood the accused may flee if granted bail.
“In light of that, there is a high possibility that they will run away to avoid being jailed if they are convicted and sentenced,” she said,
The court heard that on July 29 this year, Zondo and Sibanda confronted Irvine Moyo, who was seated in his Honda Fit in Parklands suburb and allegedly tried to rob him. He wrestled with them, prompting the accused to smash the windscreen of his car with a stone. They also stoned the driver’s side and passenger’s side windows of his car and fled.
On the following day, at around 5PM, they raided Sifundo Nkomazana at Killarney Suburb and attacked him before they allegedly took his cellphone.
“On the same day, still in the same suburb, they confronted Lucky Dube and threatened to kill him before they robbed him of his cellphone and a white cellphone charger,” said Ms Mhlanga.
The court heard that on the same day, shortly after 10PM, while they were still in the same suburb, they confronted Sehluko Ndlovu and allegedly threatened to stab him before one of them punched him while demanding money. They allegedly robbed him of his cellphone and fled the scene.
On the same day at around 4.45PM, the accused allegedly raided Prince Dube’s home and pounced on him while he was seated in the living room, kicked and punched him and robbed him of his two cellphones and US$130.
“After that, they headed to Tarisai Vutavunashe’s home, where they allegedly banged on the door and ordered her to open the door. They also threatened to kill her,” said Ms Mhlanga. Fearing for her life, Vutavunashe opened the door, and they told her to surrender all the money she kept at her house. She gave them US$55.
“On the following day, at around 5AM, they pounced on Nduna Dliwayo at his home in Killarney suburb while he was leaving for work and threatened to strike him with a machete,” said Ms
Mhlanga. They demanded money and he told them that he had no money after which, they allegedly forced him to remove his jacket and took it. A report was made to the police and investigations led to the five men’s arrest.
