admin
Musawenkosi Moyo
SIX suspected gun-wielding robbers have appeared in court facing armed robbery charges.
Limukani Khuphe (37), Lungisani Mpofu (24), Uyapho Ndlovu (26), Brendon Moyo (26), Edward Dave (45) and Sheunesu Nhliziyo (26) recently appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Joseph Mabeza.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in custody to 17 June for continuation of trial.
Allegations are that, on 9 May last year at around 9 pm, the accused went to Hope Valley Gatshawana Shopping
Centre in Kensington on the outskirts of Bulawayo armed with three pistols, knives, an iron bar and an axe.
The court heard that upon arrival the accused persons fired two warning shots, ordered customers who were outside to get inside the shop and threatened to kill them if they did not comply. After they entered the shop, they then forced the customers to lie down.
At gunpoint, they demanded valuables including cell phones and money. They also assaulted the shopkeeper and two customers before ransacking the shop and stealing US$80 and Z$14 000.
The accused then forced the customers into the storeroom and locked them in. The total value of stolen property is US$326 and nothing was recovered.
The court further heard that on 10 May 2023, at around 1 am, the accused persons went to Zanqaweni Village in the Sigola area on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Armed with three pistols, two knives, an iron bar and an axe, they approached a homestead and gained entry. They found a woman alone and threatened to shoot her if she didn’t give them money.
They ransacked the house, stealing US$800 and household property worth a total of US$1 345. None of the stolen items were recovered. Upon their arrest, it came to light that the accused had also committed robberies on 10 May 2023, at two other homesteads in the same area.
They threatened to stab both victims and stole a total of US$650 along with household property. The total value of stolen property is US$1 005 and nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter