Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A 35-YEAR-OLD repeat offender has appeared in court after being arrested for an alleged robbery spree in which he targeted community members for cellphones and cash at gunpoint.
Nkosana Makheto (35) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, and was not asked to plead.
He was remanded in custody until 26 May and advised of his legal right to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Jethro Mada told the court that on 18 April 2026, at around 8:30 PM, the accused approached a complainant, who had parked a taxi at a hotel located near the corner of 9th Avenue and Lobengula Street.
“The accused, who was wearing a black hooded jacket and a navy blue work suit with reflectors, purported to be a genuine customer and hired the complainant to ferry him to Mighty Club at Bellevue Shopping Centre, Bulawayo.
“Along the way, the accused, who was the only passenger, requested the driver to pass through number 59 Balfour Road, Bellevue, to collect his friend. As the driver was driving along Balfour Road, the accused person pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the complainant while demanding money and cellphones,” said Mr Mada.
The court heard that the complainant surrendered a cellphone and US$20 to the accused, who then disembarked and disappeared into the darkness.
Mr Mada further told the court that on 19 April 2026, shortly after 7:00 PM, the accused boarded an omnibus driven by the complainant at Tshabalala Extension, pretending to be a genuine customer travelling to the city centre.
“When they were at Bellevue, the accused produced a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the conductor. He demanded cellphones and money, and the driver handed him a cellphone and $90,” the court heard.
“After committing the offence, the accused disembarked and told the driver to drive away. The driver proceeded to Donnington Police Station where he reported the incident.”
Later that same day, Makheto allegedly boarded a kombi near Bellevue and, as soon as he was seated, produced his firearm and demanded cash. The conductor gave him a cellphone, after which he disembarked and ordered the kombi crew to drive off.
The court further heard that on 18 April 2026, shortly after 11:30 PM, the accused boarded a taxi from the city centre and requested to be dropped in Sizinda suburb.
“When the driver was near the Westgate turn along Birkenhead Road, the accused pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the complainant, who was one of two passengers aboard the taxi. “The accused demanded cash and cellphones from the complainant. The accused was handed cash amounting to USD$30 and an Itel A50 cellphone,” the court heard.
It was stated that on 11 May, an identification parade was conducted, and the complainant managed to identify the accused person.
The court also heard that on 19 April 2026, at around 12:50 AM, the complainant was at a nightclub situated at the corner of 9th Avenue and George Silundika Street and boarded a taxi intending to proceed to another nightclub.
“The driver requested to first drop off the customer who was going to Sizinda suburb. When the driver reached the Westgate turn along Birkenhead Road, the accused pulled out a black pistol and threatened to shoot the driver and the complainant aboard the taxi. The accused demanded cash and cellphones from the complainant. The accused was handed US$30 and a Samsung F13 cellphone by the complainant and went away,” said Mr Mada.
On 19 April 2026, at around 8:00 PM, another complainant was driving a Toyota Probox and picked up the accused at the Emakhandeni robots, who claimed he was on his way to the city centre.
“The driver stopped for a red robot and the accused, who was occupying the front passenger seat, threatened to shoot the complainant and ordered him to hand over cash.
“The complainant handed over US$65 and a cellphone. After taking the property, he disembarked and instructed the complainant to drive away,” said Mr Mada.
He used a similar modus operandi on 9 May at around 9:00 PM when a complainant was driving a Honda Fit and picked up the accused on Northleah Road, who said he was heading to the city centre and managed to go away with US$40.
“The complainant noticed where the accused was hiding and mobilised his friends, who came and managed to apprehend the accused person and recover all the stolen money and a Blow F92 9mm calibre blank gun, serial number Z2YBKMAYS022602299,” the court heard.
The accused was taken to ZRP Donnington with the recovered property. It is not Makheto’s first brush with the law; in February this year, he was arrested for theft and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years. A further three months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant the sum of US$110. The remaining six months were suspended on condition that he completes 210 hours of community service at Donnington Police Station.
