Vusumuzi Dube
Wilbrought Ndlovu ,Sunday News Reporter
FIVE robbers who raided and ransacked a plot in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province of various amounts of money, a motor vehicle, a revolver (gun) and cellphones after drugging dogs and tying workers and their families have appeared in court and have been remanded in custody.
They allegedly descended on Mr Concern Sibanda (70)’s plot and stole a total of US$32 000, R35 000, 1500 Pounds, a Toyota Hilux and 38mm Rossi Revolver. The five – Craige Dube (29), Shepherd Ncube (34), Mbuso Dube (37), Siby Nkala (37) and Bupenyu Ncube (35) appeared at the Bulawayo Regional Court before magistrate Mr Jacob Mabeza facing charges of robbery as defined in Section 126 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. Police have been looking for them since the offence was committed.
The State case as presented by prosecutor Ms Portia Mashadyu is that on 14 November 2021 around 2AM, the accused persons who were armed with a gun, knife and iron bars went to Mr Sibanda’s plot in Umguza District where they drugged his four dogs so that they could gain entry into the plot.
After gaining entry to the plot, they went to the servant’s quarters where they rounded up Sibanda’s employees Peter Mudenda, Rams Mhlanga and their families before tying their hands and legs using sellotape and shoe laces. They bundled them in a one room and ordered them to lie on the floor facing downwards.
One accused person remained guarding the employees while the other four went on to break two padlock keys used to secure the gate to Sibanda’s main house. They laid an ambush outside waiting for Sibanda to open the door.
Sibanda opened the door to his main house around 7am as he was preparing to go to church with his wife. Three accused persons suddenly stormed into the house pointing a gun at Sibanda and threatening to shoot him.
It was the State case that they manhandled Mr Sibanda and his wife and assaulted them with booted feet demanding keys to the safe. Fearing for his life, he showed them his safe that was in the storeroom where they stole US$23 000 and 35 000 Rand.
They asked to be shown more safes after telling Sibanda that they have information that he had three safes.
Mr Sibanda, the court heard, led them to the dressing room where he opened his other safe and they stole US$ 3000 and 15 000 Pounds, he also showed them his gun cabinet and the accused stole US$6 000 and his 38mm Rossi Revolver serial number D.38001 with eight live rounds of ammunition.
The accused persons also took an iPhone and two Samsung cellphones. They also demanded keys to Mr Sibanda’s Grey Toyota Hilux motor vehicle registration number ADV 1075 which they drove away with from the scene.
A police report was made leading to the arrest of all five accused persons. The Toyota Hilux was recovered dumped outside house number 4632 Emganwini in Bulawayo. Police also recovered a 38 Rossi Revolver and US$28 600 upon arrest of the accused persons.
Bongani Ndlovu