Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
AN armed robber who was part of a gang that allegedly pointed a gun at a three-month-old baby and an axe at a four-year-old child while getting away with cash and household property worth US$2,683 has appeared in court for the commencement of his trial.
Trust Nkomo (43), of Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb, appeared on Wednesday before Bulawayo provincial resident magistrate, Mr Themba Chimiso, facing robbery charges. Nkomo was not legally represented and pleaded not guilty.
The accused denied participating in the robbery and claimed that on the day in question, he was out of Bulawayo.
“On the day of the robbery, I was not in Bulawayo. I never participated in the commission of the offence,” he said.
However, a key witness, Kimberly Shambare, told the court that she positively identified the accused by a distinct facial scar.
“I went to bed around 9pm with my children after locking all the doors and windows. I was later awakened by a man wielding an axe who ordered me not to scream before demanding cash, valuables, and gold.
“He stood next to my bed. Although he ordered me not to scream, I could not contain my fear. He grabbed my four-year-old child by the legs and placed the axe on his neck, threatening to kill him if I did not give them money,” said Shambare.
She said the gang ordered her to climb off the bed and they ransacked the bedroom.
“Nkomo hit me on the knee with the back of the axe while they ordered me off the bed. They lifted the mattress and found my husband’s pistol.
“He took the gun and pointed it at my three-month-old child while demanding cash,” said Shambare.
“I told them I had no money in the house, only US$15 that was in my bag. He snatched the money I had removed from my bag. They also took cellphones that were in my bedroom. After that, they proceeded to the sitting room where our housemaid was sleeping. “Again, they demanded money. She told them there was no money and she handed them her phone. They went on to take a television set, a gas cylinder, USB drives, and other household items.”
Mr Godknows Muleya testified that he was called days later by police detectives to identify a firearm magazine loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition that had been recovered from Nkomo.
“When I bought the Derya pistol together with its magazine, I engraved three dots on the plastic base plate. I positively identified the recovered magazine using those markings,” said Muleya.
The matter was postponed to 6 August 2026 for trial continuation.
Prosecuting, Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that the accused and his two accomplices, who are yet to be arrested, pounced on Muleya’s home.
“They broke into the house around 3am on 31 March 2026, armed with an axe and a taser. They pointed a gun at a three-month-old baby while demanding cash and took cash and property valued at US$2,683,” he said.
