adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
A MAN suspected to be part of a gang that allegedly pounced on Agribank in Maphisa and got away with about $100,000 yesterday appeared in court facing armed robbery charges. Gift Moyo, 30, of Magwegwe North suburb in Bulawayo, appeared before Gwanda Provincial Magistrate Reuben Mukavhi and was not asked to plead.
The court was told the robbers got away with $31,647, R46,471, 110 British pounds and 80 Euros, an amount far less than the $100,000 police recorded on the day of the robbery.
Moyo was remanded in custody to September 9 for plea recording at the regional court.
Prosecuting, Edward Ndlovu told the court that on Tuesday at around 2PM, Moyo in the company of two accomplices Hlanganani Ndlovu and Lavender Moyo, who are still at large, allegedly went to Agribank Maphisa with an intention to rob the bank.
“While in the bank, Gift allegedly produced a star pistol and pointed it at Mthulisi Ncube, a bank teller and ordered him to open the manager’s office,” said Ndlovu.
The prosecutor told the court that upon entering the manager’s office, the trio pointed their gun at the bank manager, Nkululeko Nsimbi and ordered both of them to enter into a strong room which houses the bank’s safe.
“Gift then ordered Nsimbi to open the safe and load money into a bag which he provided and at the same time ransacking the till, collecting cash from it,” said Ndlovu.
The court heard that after collecting all the cash, they then closed the door to the strong room with the staff inside before fleeing from the scene.
Ndlovu said the staff was rescued by a woman named Sithanyeli Mlilo who entered the banking hall and heard them screaming for help.
A report was made to the police who made a follow up and arrested Gift.
The accused was later positively identified by the staff members.
A star pistol and a total of $4,321 and R15,280 were recovered from Gift.
Online Reporter