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Eight suspected robbers who were arrested at the funeral of one of the five people believed to be armed robbers who died last week in a car accident have been denied bail.They are expected back in court on November 6.
Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo considered that the eight are facing a serious offence which attracts a lengthy custodial sentence if convicted.
“Releasing the accused persons out on bail would make people lose trust in the justice delivery system,” he said.
Lazarus Jimu (23), Tatenda Tanhira (23), Maxwell Mushonga (22) and Chamunorwa Machingauta (27) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing robbery charges.
The other quartet of Rodwell Keith Undi (33), Rodney Akende (37), Bernard Kaitano (31) and Mugove Chikukwa (25) separately appeared before the same court facing robbery charges and were remanded in custody to November 6.
The two groups were not jointly charged. Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on July 8 at around 6:35pm Takudzwa Fusire was at Eastlea Shopping Centre in Harare looking for transport to town.
He was offered a lift by Tanhira, Jimu, Mushonga and Machingauta who were in a Toyota Fun Cargo without registration numbers.
The accused drove into town and when they reached East 24 Restaurant one of them indicated to Fusire that he had boarded a car belonging to robbers.
One of the suspects sitting next to Fusire started searching him and stole a cellphone and US$70. They dumped him and sped off.
It is further alleged that on July 26 just after midnight, Solomon Munjaranji stopped an unregistered black Toyota Raum at the corner of Julius Nyerere and Sam Nujoma streets to catch a lift home.
However, the four occupants in the car, Akende, Undi, Kaitano and Chikukwa had allegedly found easy prey. While driving along Sam Nujoma Extension, the robbers turned left into Josiah Tongogara Street and it is alleged they grabbed Munjaranji by the neck and started searching him.
They stole a cellphone, a digital camera, Adidas sports shoes and US$180 and dumped Munjaranji at the corner of Sam Nujoma and Mazowe Street before speeding off.
The eight were arrested at the funeral of Boris Mushonga who was suspected to be part of the syndicate. The Toyota Raum was recovered.
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