Online Reporter
Lesley Chikudo, [email protected]
A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbing an airtime vendor at knifepoint, stealing US$242, R2 300, and airtime vouchers.
Emmanuel Sibanda, a resident of Entumbane suburb, pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze due to compelling evidence presented during the trial.
Three years of his sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, meaning he will serve an effective seven years behind bars.
In her ruling, Mrs Marondedze emphasised the need for deterrent sentences to combat the rising cases of robbery in Bulawayo.
“Robbery cases instil fear and trauma in victims and disrupt societal peace. The court must send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” she said.
Prosecuting, Mr Milton Moyo said the robbery occurred on March 21 at around 7AM at Western Gate, Entumbane Complex.
The complainant, Mr Godfrey Mutsaka, was selling airtime vouchers when Sibanda approached him, pretending to seek an exchange of US$100 for South African rand. However, when Mr Mutsaka informed him that he could not assist, Sibanda suddenly grabbed his sling bag containing US$200, R2,300, and 42 airtime vouchers.
Sibanda then pulled out a silver machete with a black handle from his trousers and threatened to stab Mr Mutsaka, preventing him from resisting. He then fled towards a bushy area near Entumbane Complex.
Mr Mutsaka and a witness gave chase. As they were about to apprehend him, Sibanda produced a brown Okapi knife and threatened to stab them. A struggle ensued, but they managed to overpower him.
They apprehended him and handed him over to the police, leading to his arrest.
In mitigation, Sibanda, who represented himself in court, pleaded for leniency, claiming that he had committed the crime to raise money for his ailing wife’s hospital bills.
However, the court ruled that the gravity of his actions outweighed his personal circumstances.
