Rogue kombi crew robs passengers

appeared in court facing 13 counts of theft.
They, however, denied the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Jackie Munyonga who granted them US$100 bail apiece.
Their trial has been set for October 3.
Prosecutor Mr Crispen Mavengano alleges that on June 14 around 4pm, Lloyd Bonzora who was on his way to Avondale, boarded the trio’s kombi which was plying the City-Avondale route.
Along the way, Mubaiwa stopped the vehicle whereupon Munhumumwe and Chigwaze grabbed Bonzora and stole his cellphone, a Nokia 1600 and US$130 cash before pushing him out of the vehicle.
They sped off from the scene.
On August 1, the three picked up Kenneth Chipere on the pretext that they were going to the Civic Centre in Marlborough.
As they approached Lomagundi Road, Mubaiwa stopped the vehicle saying he was no longer going to the Civic Centre since he had failed to get more passengers.
The conductor asked Chipere to assist him to open the door and as he was helping him, Chigwaze was searching his pockets and stole a Samsung galaxy phone valued at US$350.
The State alleges that on a different date, Emmanuel Musonza boarded the trio’s kombi after being told they were going to Greendale.
As they were approaching Arbedeen Road along Second Street Extension, Munhumumwe asked Musonza to help him close the door.
In the process, it is alleged Munhumumwe searched Musonza’s pockets and stole his cellphone a Nokia N97 and US$750.
Using the same method, the three stole US$520 from Luke Manditsera while Alex Ruzive lost US$400 to them.
Other passengers lost their cash and valuables to the three.
The three were arrested after stealing US$5 from a 75-year-old woman whom they had dropped saying they were no longer going to town.
The woman, who boarded another kombi later, discovered that her handbag was open and that her US$5 note, which was wrapped in a plastic, was missing.
She identified them after the kombi she was in was stopped at a roadblock and the trio’s kombi was also there.
She reported the matter to the police manning the roadblock who searched the vehicle and discovered the woman’s plastic bag stashed under the driver’s seat.