adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO regional magistrate Noel Mpeiwa added more misery to a Zaka man serving 24 and a half years in jail for five counts of armed robbery when he slapped him with another nine years for a fresh robbery charge.Marshwell Kurauone, 24, of Chikoho Village under Chief Ndanga was re-arrested at Mutimurefu Prison cells to attend trial on Tuesday.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted murder.
However, Masvingo regional magistrate Noel Mpeiwa convicted him after a full trial and sentenced him to 14 years in prison – eight for attempted murder and six for unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Five years were conditionally suspended.
Court proceedings turned dramatic when Kurauone’s mother, Shylet and her husband Adonia shouted, “Let him taste jail, he has never been in jail before. It is good he may come back a reformed child.”
She added, “But my son, how could you do that to your parents. We will be a laughing stock in the society because of your deeds.”
Prosecuting Mukai Mutumhe said on November 10, 2012 around 6PM Kurauone met Pearson Chimbwereshe, 70, at Musengezi Business Centre and greeted him before demanding money. The accused shot Chimbwereshe on the left thigh after he said he had no money and fled.
Mutumhe said on the following day Kuraoune went to Ditoyi Shopping Centre where he saw a Delta Beverages haulage truck delivering beer to an outlet.
He then clung behind the truck and patrons spotted him hanging precariously from the vehicle, the court heard.
One of the truck crew disembarked to check and identified Kurauone as someone they had seen at Musengezi Business Centre.
Within a short space of time, Kurauone had disappeared.
On the same day around 10PM Kurauone met Absalom Murambi of Hippo Valley walking with his wife and demanded money from them at gunpoint.
Murambi told him he had no money and threw him an empty wallet.
After searching the wallet and finding no money Kurauone opened fire and shot Murambi on the right knee.
Murambi’s plea for mercy fell on deaf ears as Kurauone threatened to inflict more harm until his victim took out $150 from the wallet before handing it back to him.
Murambi only realised he was injured after his assailant had disappeared.
Kurauone also fired three shots in the air before disappearing apparently to scare away those who dared track him down.
Villagers who heard gun shots alerted the police who attended the scene but Kurauone had long disappeared.
Police managed to recover empty cartridges of used bullets. They went to his homestead where they recovered a CZ88 9mm pistol.
Kurauone was convicted of five counts of armed robbery last year.
Online Reporter