Online Reporter
Nothando Zondo, [email protected]
THE Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court has sentenced four men from Mberengwa to between 10 and 20 years in prison after they carried out a series of armed robberies in Gwanda and West Nicholson, leaving their victims counting losses exceeding R17 000 and US$100.
Malvin Maranganya (19), Fornate Maranganya (26), Prince Sibanda (23) and Tatenda Ndlovu (23), all from Mberengwa District in Midlands Province, were linked to the offences through police investigations and their own confessions.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni said the quartet was arrested following thorough police investigations.
He said Gwanda Regional Magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ndebele convicted the four men after a full trial.
Assistant Inspector Mguni said the court sentenced Malvin and Fornate Maranganya to 24 years’ imprisonment each for three counts of robbery.
A further four years were conditionally suspended, leaving them to serve an effective 20-year prison term.
“Sibanda and Ndlovu were each sentenced to 12 years, with two years suspended, resulting in an effective 10-year term,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Mguni commended members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest of the four men.
“The first incident occurred on 29 March 2026 at about 8pm when two of the accused approached the complainant aged 44, a kitchen operator at Mbembesi Business Centre, posing as customers. After being served food, they left and returned armed with a pistol.
“One of the accused produced a firearm and demanded cash before robbing the complainant of R1 000. After which, they targeted another 23-year-old woman at a nearby bus stop and stole her handbag containing R2 000 and US$100.”
Assistant Inspector Mguni said on April 1, the accused persons posed as gold sellers and lured a 39-year-old man into his cabin at a bar in Gwanda.
During the incident, one of the suspects allegedly fired three shots before demanding cash, forcing the complainant to hand over R15 000. However, the complainant wrestled with the suspect who was holding the firearm, forcing the group to flee in different directions while dropping a mobile phone and a jacket at the scene.
“They were arrested on April 15 at a taxi rank in Gwanda town following a tip-off,” said Assistant Inspector Mguni.
He said the stolen money had not been recovered.
“We applaud the public for working with police to bring notorious criminals to justice. We continue to encourage the community to partner with us in fighting crime,” he said.
