Police track down robbery suspect using recovered phone

The conviction has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority, which described the matter as a severe violation of trust and a grave crime against a vulnerable child.

Dalyn Chigwizura

A 26-year-old taxi driver has appeared in court for allegedly conspiring with two accomplices to rob a Bulawayo man of US$800 and a mobile phone.

Dumiso Dube of Nkulumane suburb was charged with robbery and remanded in custody until his trial on September 3.

The court heard that the incident took place on July 30 at around 4:30PM.

The prosecutor, Christina Manyika, said Dube was driving a blue Honda Fit taxi with registration number AFD 6349 along the Pumula–Luveve route when he spotted the complainant, 51-year-old Johannes Mlambo, in Tshabalala suburb.

Dube stopped the vehicle, and one of his accomplices got out and threatened Mlambo with an okapi knife while demanding money.

The suspect then stole a wallet containing US$800 and a Samsung mobile phone from Mlambo’s pockets before getting back into the car, which sped off.

Mlambo, with the help of a bystander, pursued and managed to block Dube’s vehicle. During the ensuing struggle, Mlambo grabbed Dube’s mobile phone before Dube fled.

Mlambo then reported the incident to the Tshabalala Police Station and handed over the phone.

Police investigations, which used the recovered handset, led to Dube’s arrest.