Mushonga robbers jailed 108yrs

Mushonga’s house in 2009 and got away with property worth thousands of dollars were yesterday jailed a total of 108 years.

Stephen Zimowa (37), Asani Chikwanda (30) and Crispen Sibanda (51) pleaded not guilty to armed robbery charges when they appeared before regional magistrate Mr William Bhila but were convicted because of overwhelming evidence.

Their alleged accomplices Antony Kumbula (31) and Tendai Jongwe (38) were acquitted because of lack of incriminating evidence.
On the count of robbing the Mushonga house, the three were jailed 12 years each and a further 60 years each for the other five counts. Three of the counts for each of the trio will run concurrently, leaving them to serve an effective 36 years each.

Their alleged accomplice Makaika Milanzi (34) who was acquitted of robbing the Mushongas but convicted of two other counts fainted while Mr Bhila read the judgment and had to be helped by prison officers and prosecutor Mr Michael Reza who sought bottled water for him.

The court had to adjourn for at least 15 minutes while Milanzi was being attended to.
Sources from the Zimbabwe Prison Services yesterday said Milanzi had been told by a fellow prisoner cum spiritual healer that he was going to be acquitted hence the shock.

Mr Bhila sentenced him to 24 years effective for the two counts.