Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, [email protected]
A 29-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man behind a series of armed robberies targeting shops and bars in the city’s western suburbs has been sentenced to 38 years in prison.
Silence Moyo of Emakhandeni suburb was convicted of four counts of robbery by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure.
Four years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
A further two years were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainants a total of US$3 649 and R1 500.
Prosecuting, Ms Melissa Dube told the court that on November 7 last year at around 8PM, the complainant, Mr Shingirirai Mandiopera, who owns MNS Enterprise in New Lobengula suburb, was at his shop with his wife when Moyo and his alleged accomplice, Ntandoyenkosi Mafu, who is still at large, raided the premises armed with a pistol and a Colombian knife.
The pair ordered the complainant and his wife to lie down before demanding cash and cellphones. They initially took US$90 and a cellphone.
“Moyo, who was armed with a pistol, pointed the firearm at the complainant’s wife demanding more cash and she complied and handed over US$210, airtime recharge vouchers valued at US$100 and a cellphone,” said Ms Dube.
During the robbery, a security guard locked the front entrance from outside in an attempt to prevent the suspects from escaping.
However, Moyo fired a shot towards the door, shattering the glass, forcing the security guard to flee from the scene.
Four days later, the duo struck again at Daily Grant Sports Bar in Gwabalanda suburb at around 9PM.
They found the complainant, Ashley Chapepa (31), a barman, behind the counter with a colleague and several patrons.
“The two men ordered the barman to lie down and demanded cash before taking US$350 and R1 300 from the cash drawer,” said Ms Dube.
The court heard that the pair continued demanding more money while firing several shots into the air and threatening to shoot the complainant.
They then forced-marched Chapepa to a storeroom where they took US$357, airtime recharge vouchers valued at US$347, three cellphones and four bottles of whiskey.
The following day at around 9.30PM, the pair raided Easy Pick Shop in Emakhandeni suburb.
The court heard that Drocilah Moyo, a cashier, was working in the bar section with her colleagues Innocent Moyo and Last Murwisi when the two suspects stormed the shop through the back door armed with a pistol, an electric shocker and an axe.
“The accused and his accomplice threatened the complainant and her colleagues with death and demanded cash and valuables,” said Ms Dube.
They took US$820 from the cash box, nine bottles of Viceroy brandy and three cellphones.
The suspects also robbed Innocent Moyo of US$227, R200, a cellphone and a wallet containing a driver’s licence and an ATM card.
Investigations later led to Moyo’s arrest while his accomplice remains at large.
