Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
SIX suspected armed robbers appeared in court facing attempted armed robbery charges after a Bulawayo businessman allegedly returned fire when the gang stormed his shop and opened fire on him during a failed daylight robbery.
The businessman, who operates a tuckshop at Warringham plots on the outskirts of Bulawayo, allegedly used his legally registered 9mm FN Browning pistol to fight back, forcing the suspects to flee without stealing anything.
Thabo Ndlovu (29), Mennerd Sibanda (24), Forward Dube (29), Prince Makhaza, Lerato Takane (age not given) and Norman Hadebe (52) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Ms Sibongile Marondedze.
Ndlovu, Sibanda, Makhaza, Dube and Takane are based in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Hadebe resides in Magwegwe North, Bulawayo.
The six, who were not legally represented, were remanded in custody to October 30 and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
Prosecuting, Ms Karen Gundani told the court that on October 14 at around 2.30PM, the complainant was in his bedroom while his employees were attending to customers at the shop.
The court heard that two of the accused allegedly entered the shop and bought a packet of sausages while surveying the premises.
“As they left, three others entered, also pretending to be customers,” said Ms Gundani.
One of the suspects allegedly produced a pistol and demanded money from the workers, prompting the complainant to leave his bedroom to investigate the commotion.
“Upon being confronted by the complainant, the accused persons opened fire towards the complainant, who dashed for cover and returned fire using his legally registered pistol, issued for
the protection of cash in transit,” said Ms Gundani.
The court heard that the suspects shot their way out of the premises and fled into nearby bush without injuring anyone or taking any property.
A police report was made, and investigators recovered four spent 9mm cartridges at the scene.
A search party comprising detectives combed the surrounding bush and allegedly found one of the suspects hiding in a thicket. A PAK pellet gun without serial numbers was recovered.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Dube and Hadebe in Magwegwe North, where police had laid an ambush.
The remaining suspects were arrested in Bulawayo city centre, where they allegedly intended to regroup before fleeing to South Africa.
