Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 22-year-old mine security guard who used his service rifle to rob a passer-by of US$50 in Hope Fountain has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison.
Luke Shepherd Chademunhu, of Chademunhu Village under Chief Makumbe in Buhera District, was convicted of armed robbery by Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla. At the time of the offence, he was employed by Rudloy Security Company.
In delivering the sentence, Ms Mkandla found that the offence had been committed under aggravating circumstances, noting that Chademunhu had abused a position of trust and used a firearm to intimidate the complainant.
He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, leaving him with an effective four-year jail term.
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Prosecutor Tsungai Mutapi told the court that the incident occurred on November 27 last year at about 5 PM while Chademunhu was on duty at Fools Mine in Hope Fountain.
The complainant, Mr Tonderai Gumbo (22), was walking with his friend, Mr Euman Zhove, along a footpath within the mine premises on their way to neighbouring Lone Star Mine when they encountered the accused.
The court heard that Chademunhu, armed with a .303 rifle, cocked the weapon, pointed it at the two men and ordered them to stop. They complied.
“The accused handcuffed Gumbo and Zhove using a single pair of handcuffs before force-marching them to his guard room, where they were made to sit on the ground outside,” said Ms Mutapi.
The prosecutor said Chademunhu threatened to kill the complainant before cocking the rifle and firing a shot into the air.
“He then searched Gumbo and took his wallet containing US$50 cash. He removed the money and returned the wallet to the complainant,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court further heard that when Gumbo demanded the return of his money, Chademunhu assaulted him several times before eventually releasing him without handing back the cash.
The matter was later reported to the police, leading to Chademunhu’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
