Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu , Gwanda Correspondent
A MAN from Gwanda who escaped from police cells before stealing three guns, a cellphone and beer from a canteen at Gwanda Urban Police Station has been ordered to undergo mental examination.
Gwanda magistrate Miss Lerato Nyathi heard that after stealing the firearms, Bruce Ndlovu (20) of Lumene Village aimed one of the rifles at a group of police officers and pursued them when they tried to apprehend him.
Ndlovu was remanded in custody to December 10 and Miss Nyathi ordered that he be examined by two doctors to ascertain his mental stability.
The accused person is facing unlawful entry, escaping from police custody, theft and pointing a firearm charges.
Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi requested Ndlovu to be examined noting that he reportedly had a history of mental instability.
Ndlovu, who was seemingly not happy with the order, insisted that he was mentally sound.
“Why should I go for a mental examination, are you suggesting that I’m mentally unstable because that’s not true. I’m perfectly fine,” he said.
The magistrate had to calm Ndlovu down and persuade him to undergo mental examination.
Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu was arrested on October 11 for unlawful entry into a hardware shop.
“On 11 October at around 1AM, Ndlovu climbed some steps and proceeded to the first floor balcony of Oasis Hardware Shop in Gwanda. He was spotted by a security guard who was on duty leading to his arrest.
“He was taken to the Gwanda Urban Police Cells for detention. He escaped from the cells and went to a senior officers’ canteen where he stole two rifles, a shotgun, two by 750 ml of Viceroy, a 750 ml bottle of Chateau brandy, a Samsung JI phone and a Bluetooth speaker,” she said.
Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu was seen by a police officer, Constable Mongameli Ncube, who called for reinforcements.
She said the cops tried to apprehend Ndlovu but he pointed a gun at them and fled from the scene.
The cops pursued him and arrested him leading to the recovery of an AK47 rifle he was holding.
Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu led the police to a toilet where he had hidden a 303 Enfied rifle, a shotgun and the other stolen property.
The stolen property was valued at $1 145 and property worth $1 115 was recovered.
—DubeMatutu.
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