Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A ROBBER, who was part of a three-member gang targeting rural business centres, has finally been arrested and jailed for the offences.
Tafadzwa Ruwodo (32) of Vengere Rusape, slipped way when his counterparts were arrested last year.
He appeared before Rusape magistrate, Tendai Mahwe, facing charges of robbery.
The State proved that he robbed a storekeeper at Chimbike Business Centre and went away with US$130 cash and clothes valued at US$1,103.
Ruwodo was also charged with unlawful entry when he broke into a bar at the same business centre and stole beer valued at US$537.
Ruwodo pleaded guilty to the two offences and Mahwe sentenced him to five years imprisonment for the robbery before setting aside one year on condition of good behavior.
For the unlawful entry charge, he was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and six months were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that Ruwodo committed the offence together with his accomplices – Wisdom John Muranda and Maxwell Mazambuko – last year.
They robbed a 19-year-old shopkeeper, Diolyne Chitakatira, of her clothes and cellphone.Muranda and Mazambuko are already serving their sentences.
“On November 26, 2025, at around 7 pm, Chitakatira closed up for the day and retired to bed in the boutique shop with her two siblings aged nine and six.
“On November 27, 2025, at around 00.45 am, the accused person with his accomplices – Muranda and Mazambuko— who had already been arraigned before the court, used an iron bar to forcibly open the shop back door and entered.“While inside Muranda, who was holding an iron bar, went straight to Chitakatira, who was already awake trying to seek help by making a phone call, and held an iron bar against her threatening to kill her before snatching her cellphone.
“They ordered her to cover her head with a blanket and demanded cash.
“Chitakatira complied before Mazambuko and Ruwodo went into the shop and ransacked it looking for cash whilst Muranda was guarding the complainant.”
She added:
“Ruwodo took US$130 which was in the jar. The accused persons stole various clothes and accessories valued at US$1,103.
“Chitakatira later informed her neighbours who gathered and a search for the accused persons was launched.
“Around 7 am information was received to the effect that the accused persons were spotted about two kilometres from the scene seeking transport with the loot. “Members of the public reacted to information leading to the arrest of Muranda and Mazambuko while Ruwodo managed to escape. Goods valued at US$852 were recovered,” said Mutukwa.
Mathew Masinge