Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A Harare man who stole a shotgun from a security guard manning Livre Investments property in Grenary, Zvimba, has been convicted by a Mbare magistrate.
Kelvin Gonzo was found guilty after a full trial.
During the trial, Allen Billy told the court that on the day in question, he was on duty with his colleagues when Gonzo appeared with a large group of people.
The court heard that the mob then confronted Billy and his colleagues and ordered them to leave.
When Billy and his colleagues refused to leave, Gonzo and the mob started to physically assault him.
Billy said he was ambushed by one Manjoro in what appeared to have been a carefully pre-planned move, and he was forced to lie down as they assaulted him.
According to the State witness, Gonzo acted in common purpose with the mob to forcefully grab the gun from Billy. They then left the scene.
Billy made a report of the stolen gun at the White House Police Station and Gonzo appeared at the police station about 30 minutes later.
However, Gonzo denied committing the offence.
He said on the day in question, there was a misunderstanding between the mob and Billy.
Gonzo claimed that one of the security guards took out a shotgun and pointed it at him and the other people who were accompanying him.
He told the court that he grabbed the firearm to ensure that Billy would not use it. Gonzo also said he took the gun to use it as evidence against Billy.
However, Billy vehemently denied ever pointing a gun at Gonzo.
