Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
TWO men who were out on bail over robbery allegations have returned to court facing fresh charges after they allegedly went on a robbery spree in Plumtree, targeting shops and homes and making off with cash and cellphones.
Alpha Omega Moyo (24) and Bornwell Sibanda (32), appeared before Plumtree provincial resident magistrate Mr Busani Sibanda facing two counts of robbery.
The pair pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter was postponed to August 24 for continuation of trial.
Four witnesses have so far testified, with their evidence corroborating the State’s case. The court also heard that the accused persons were positively identified during a formal identification parade.
One of the witnesses, Ms Siphathisiwe Moyo, told the court that police recovered her calculator, which was identifiable because her name was inscribed on it.
“My calculator was inscribed with my name at the back hence I was able to identify it” she said.
Another witness, Ms Nobuhle Khuphe, gave a harrowing account of how she was allegedly threatened during the robbery at her workplace.
The court heard that on June 27, shortly after 3PM, Moyo and Sibanda allegedly went to Blue Life Trading Shop, where they forced open the back door.
Ms Khuphe told the court that one of the accused persons grabbed her baby and threatened to smash the child with a hammer unless she surrendered money.
“One of the accused persons held my baby and threatened to smash her with a hammer if I failed to give him money. I gave them R24 000 and five cellphones,” she said.
Two days later, shortly before 1AM, the pair allegedly targeted a cocktail bar, where they forced open a window to gain entry.
Once inside, they allegedly stole R4 150, US$150 and P290 before fleeing.
The court heard that on June 29, at around 2AM, the accused persons allegedly proceeded to a homestead where they forced open a bedroom door while the complainant was inside.
They allegedly demanded and got away with US$810, R5 000, seven cellphones, a calculator, a black satchel and shop keys.
The two accused were arrested at around 5.30AM the same day, with police recovering several items allegedly linked to the robberies.
The recovered property included seven cellphones, 140 Econet airtime recharge cards, 19 NetOne airtime recharge cards, US$500 and R4 240.
On July 11, one of the complainants positively identified one of the accused persons during an identification parade.
Meanwhile, Sibanda and three different accomplices are due back in court on August 25 in a separate matter in which they are accused of robbing individuals and stealing goods which include beer worth R21 585.
