Man jailed for robbery

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A PLUMTREE man has been slapped with a three-year jail sentence for robbing a drunken Plumtree District Hospital official.

Isaac Kinda, 30, was convicted by Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon of robbing Gift Chitumbire, 42, a health orderly. Chitumbire was coming from a beer drink and was on his way home.

Kinda was sentenced to three years imprisonment of which nine months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Philemon told Kinda that he deserved a custodial sentence as he was a highly violent man.

Kinda had denied the robbery charge but was convicted after his girlfriend turned against him after having assured him that she would testify in his favour.

He had told the court that he was with his girlfriend, Rejoice Sibanda, at the time the robbery was committed.

A confident Kinda had told the court that his girlfriend was prepared to testify in his favour and prove that he was not at the crime scene.

When she took the witness stand Sibanda, however, denied that she was with her lover on the night in question.

She told the court that she parted with Kinda in the afternoon as he proceeded to the nightclub for drinks. Kinda’s friend, Jabulani Tshuma, who also testified in court said his friend had asked for his assistance to rob the complainant.

Tshuma said Chitumbire was very drunk at the time he left the night club.

Prosecuting, Stanley Chinyanganya said on February 27 the complainant proceeded to Dumms Palace around 9PM to have drinks with his friend.

He said an hour later Chitumbire went to another nightclub leaving his friend behind and came across Kinda who was also drinking at the same nightclub.

“After having some beers, Chitumbire left for his home leaving Kinda at the nightclub.

“On his way he heard someone calling him and when looked behind he noticed Kinda coming after him,” said Chinyanganya.

He said Kinda grabbed the complainant by the neck and dragged him into a bushy area.

Chinyanganya said Kinda grabbed the complainant by the neck and demanded some money.

He forcibly took away his bank card, passport, cellphone, a short sleeved shirt and money amounting to $155.

Chinyanganya said Chitumbire later saw his attacker on March 4 at the same nightclub and alerted the police resulting in Kinda’s arrest.