adminYeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
TWO suspected robbers, who were allegedly terrorising passengers that board pirate taxis in Harare by stealing their valuables, have been arraigned before the courts.
Leon Hunda (32) and Joe Kunaka (27) appeared before Harare senior magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa charged with two counts of robbery.
They were remanded in custody to August 28 and were ordered to seek bail at the High Court.
The State alleged that on June 22, 2024 at around 7am in Greystone Park area along E.D Mnangagwa Road, the complainant boarded the duo’s vehicle, a white Toyota Probox, on his way to town from Greystone Park.
Upon entering the car, he was made to sit in the middle of two accused persons who were occupying the back seat.
While on their way, one of the accused persons produced a pistol and the other one produced a knife and he was asked to surrender all his belongings. They took away his cell phone and US$926 cash that was in his pocket and soon after that pressed his head down so that he could not see where they were heading to.
The driver turned the vehicle into Harare Drive, reduced the speed and pushed him out of the car and then sped off along the same road.
The total value stolen is US$1 126 and nothing was recovered.
On another count, on July 10 at around 10am, another complainant boarded a white vehicle which belongs to the accused persons in Braeside area intending to go to Mbare. She was made to sit in the middle of two accused persons who were occupying the back seat and along the way, one of the accused persons produced a knife and pointed it to the complainant, while demanding her belongings.
Fearing for her life, she surrendered her cellphone and was later dumped along Chiremba Road, Braeside area, Harare. The accused persons sped off leaving the complainant at the scene and she proceeded to ZRP Braeside where she made a report.
The court also heard that on July 24, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information to the effect that Ruvarashe Mahachi was in possession of a stolen cell phone.
A follow-up was made leading to the arrest of Mahachi who implicated Enock Muranganwa who when interviewed led detectives to Mutyineripi Rambanapasi, a cell phone dealer.
Detectives spotted the accused’s son who was in the company of his accomplice Joe Kunaka seated in a white Toyota Probox registration number ADQ 5316.
Hunda, sensing danger, bolted out from the parked motor vehicle and was shot on the leg while trying to escape.
Total value stolen is US$600 and all was recovered.
Online Reporter