happiness Chikwanha
Court Reporter
Eight suspected robbers who were arrested at the funeral of one of the five suspected armed robbers who died last last week in a car accident have been denied bail.The eight are expected back in court on November 6.
Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo on Monday considered that the eight are facing a serious offence which attracts a lengthy custodial sentence if convicted.
“Releasing the accused persons out on bail would make people lose trust in the justice delivery system,” he said.
Lazarus Jimu (23), Tatenda Tanhira (23), Maxwell Mushonga (22) and Chamunorwa Machingauta (27) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing robbery charges.
The other quartet of Rodwell Keith Undi (33), Rodney Akende (37), Bernard Kaitano (31) and Mugove Chikukwa (25) separately appeared before the same court facing robbery charges and were remanded in custody to November 6.
The two groups were not jointly charged. Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on July 8 around 6.35pm Takudzwa Fusire was at Eastlea shopping centre in Harare looking for transport to town.
He was offered a lift by Tanhira, Jimu, Mushonga and Machingauta who were driving in a Toyota Fun Cargo without registration numbers.
The accused drove into town and when they reached East 24 restaurant one of them indicated to Fusire that he had boarded a car belonging to robbers.
One of the suspects sitting next to Fusire searched him and stole a cell phone and US$70. They dumped him and sped off.
It is further alleged that on July 26 just after mid-night Solomon Munjaranji went to the corner of Second Street Extension and Julius Nyerere Way looking for transport to Hatcliffe.
Munjaranji stopped an unregistered black Toyota Raum which was being driven by Akende, who was with Undi, Kaitano and Chikukwa.
While driving along Second Street Extension, the robbers turned left into Tongogara Street. It is alleged that they grabbed Munjaranji by the neck and started searching him.
They stole a cell phone, a digital camera, Adidas sports shoes and US$180. They later dumped Munjaranji at corner Second Street and Mazowe Street before speeding off.
The eight were arrested at the funeral wake of Boris Mushonga in Mbare. Mushonga was suspected to be part of the syndicate.
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