Online Reporter
Mutare Bureau
ONE of two men, who pretended to be Good Samaritans by accompanying a businessman to his home during the night but later robbed him along the way, has been jailed.
The other one is still at large.
They stole the man’s phone and cash.
Tinotenda Muronzi, 26, of Nyahukwe Village in Rusape, appeared before Rusape magistrate Tendai Mahwe, who convicted him of robbery and sentenced him to five years in jail.
One year was suspended on condition of good behaviour. His accomplice, Courage Marova, is still on the run. Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told court that Muronzi and Marova robbed Tonderai Makoni, and shared the cash.
Muronzi gave his girlfriend the cellphone for safekeeping and it was recovered by the police.
“On February 15, 2026, at Bloom Off Village, Nyahukwe, Chief Makoni, Muronzi was with Courage Marovha, who is still at large, accompanying the complainant to his homestead.
“Along the way, the accused person, together with Courage Marova, pretended as if they were going back to Nyamugure homestead where the accused was employed. After about a few minutes, the accused person slapped him on the face, pushed and held the complainant to the ground.
“He instructed Marovha to insert his hands inside the complainant’s pocket and took US$160 from the wallet as well as a ZTE A36 cell phone.
“Muronzi and Marova ran away from the scene and they shared the stolen money.
“Muronzi took the ZTE A36 phone and handed it over to his girlfriend, Abigail Chindowa, for safekeeping. A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person and subsequent recovery of the stolen ZTE A36 cellphone from the accused’s girlfriend Chindowa.
“Total value stolen is US$259 and a cellphone valued at US$99 was recovered,” Mutukwa said.
