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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
POLICE in Gweru have arrested two notorious armed robbers-cum-rapists who terrorised residents in Gweru, Shurugwi, Harare and other areas, stealing cars, breaking into houses and raping their victims.
The two robbers Simbarashe Muwanikwi of Kuwadzana in Harare and Tinashe Mazhete are allegedly facing more than 70 counts of armed robbery, carjacking and rape which they committed during the period extending from January to March.
It is understood that the two would break into houses, rob and rape their victims while their husbands look on. They stole property and money worth more than $150 000.
The two would use different dangerous weapons in the acts. Muwanikwi and Mazhete yesterday appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Charity Maphosa facing robbery, carjacking and rape charges. They were not asked to plead and remanded in custody to 17 May.
They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court or from the Prosecutor-General.
The State also applied for warrant for further detention to carry on with investigations. For the State, Mr Bernard Nyoni alleged that the two accused persons terrorised Gweru residents where they broke into houses, raped their victims, stole money and cars.
Mr Nyoni told the court that on 18 March, the robbers broke into a house in South Downs Extension in Gweru armed with iron bars where they woke up the owners and took away $22 000 and R1 500. They went on to forcibly undress the victim and gang raped her. In another incident, on 25 March the two broke into a house in Gweru East where they found the husband and his wife sleeping.
They then demanded money and took $6 770. Mr Nyoni said they hit the husband with a hoe on the head and knee and he fell to the ground. The two, the court also heard, stole a car from the family’s garage and drove away. They went and dumped the vehicle in Chiwundura after removing the wheels.
In another incident the accused persons broke into a house in South Downs where they stole a car, bed, US$71 and raped the victim.
The accused persons were later arrested on Workers’ Day following a tip-off.
Muwanikwi was arrested in Kuwadzana, Harare while his accomplice Mazhete was arrested in Gweru. Some of the stolen property was recovered at the accused’s hideout.
Online Reporter