Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A CHITUNGWIZA resident, Gift Elliot Mushonga Chibvongodze, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted on seven counts of unlawful entry and three counts of robbery.
He was sentenced at the Mbare Magistrate’s Court.
Mushonga wreaked havoc in the neighbourhoods of Arcadia, Cranborne, Queensdale, and Hatfield.
Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the CID, gave details of how Mushonga operated.
He would break into homes, ransack them and, in some instances, threaten the occupants until they surrendered their property.
“Following his arrest in May 2024, Mushonga was connected to a total of seven unlawful entries and three robbery cases,” she said.
On December 23, 2023, Mushonga took advantage of a home owner’s absence to force open a locked door, gaining access into the property and stealing US$4,785.
On January 10, last year, during another burglary, he broke into a house and went away with US$1,000 and various cellphones.
Using the same method, on February 2, 2024, he targeted a business, vandalised a mounted safe before he went away with US$7,800 in cash.
Just two months later, on April 21, 2024, Mushonga struck again, breaking into another house and stealing US$6,800.
That same night, he robbed another victim of US$1,610, then proceeded to steal goods worth US$800 from yet another target.
Det Insp Muteweri confirmed that several stolen cellphones were recovered following Mushonga’s arrest.
Mushonga appeared before Magistrate Gakanje, with prosecutor Fidelis Chiherenge representing the State.
He was sentenced to 240 months in prison, with 40 months being suspended for five years on the condition of good behaviour.
Additionally, 12 months were suspended on condition he pays back what he stole from his victims.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends the judiciary for their unwavering commitment to combating crime,” Det Insp Muteweri said.
Mathew Masinge