Motorist overpowers ‘armed robbers’

Nozibelo Maphosa, Sunday News Reporter
TWO men from Chiredzi have been arrested after they attempted to rob a motorist and his friend who had offered them a lift to Mkwasine.

However, although the two suspected thieves were armed, they were disarmed by the motorist and his friend who overpowered them and handed them over to the police.

The duo, Decent Chibememe (25) and Samson Paradzai (24) appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Mr Tafadzwa Mhlanga facing an attempted robbery charge last week. They were remanded in custody to 27 April 2017 for continuation of trial.

The State’s case as presented by prosecutor, Mr Gladmore Gwara, was that on a date which was not given in court, Mr Rwatipedza Zireva and Mr Joseph Chigudu were driving from Chiredzi to Mkwasine when they picked up two passengers at Lyonnaise Bus Stop along Ngundu-Tanganda Road.

The court heard that after travelling for about 1,6 kilometres, one of the suspected thieves produced a Norinco Tokarev Pistol Model 2139 x 19 Serial Number 45004151 and pointed it at Mr Chigudu ordering him to stop the car.

When the vehicle stopped, the duo demanded cash from Mr Chigudu and Mr Zireva.

However, Mr Chigudu got a chance to grab the pistol. The court heard that a struggle ensued among the four but Chibememe and Paradzai were overpowered.

They were then taken to the police who arrested them.

The pair was also found in possession of a stolen radio.