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Court Correspondent
The arms and ammunition recovered in possession of nine suspected notorious armed robbers, who included Musa Taj Abdul, were used to commit various crimes around the country, the investigating officer said yesterday.
Musa Taj Abdul, Liberty Mupamhanga, Prince Makodza, Godfrey Mupamhanga, Charles Lundu, Rudolf Kamhanga, Innocent Jairos, Tapiwa Mangoma and Carrington Marasha, appeared in court facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
They appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko. Detective Sergeant Ronald Musekiwa told the court that the firearms and ammunition found in their possession were taken to CID Ballistics for testing and they matched some scenes in the laboratory, meaning they were used to commit various crimes.
“The firearms matched some scenes in the laboratory, meaning that proved they were used in committing various crimes,” he said.
The nine, through their lawyers, are denying the allegations. The court heard that on August 24 last year, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics Beitbridge received information that the suspects, who were on the police wanted list, were at House Number 1184 Mashakada, in Dulivhadzimu surbub of Beitbridge.
It is alleged the detectives mobilised other police call signs, Support Unit and Canine section, and they surrounded the house before notifying the gang of their presence.
The nine bolted out of their room and started running in different directions.
Police gave chase and subsequently arrested them and took them back to their room where searches were done, leading to the recovery of a 9×19 mm Vector Z88 pistol serial numbers obliterated, 11x9x19mm live cartridges and 20×12 bore live cartridges on a webbing belt.
They were recovered in a black satchel stashed in a washing basket.
In March last year, Mashwede Holdings in Harare lost over US$100 000, R42 000 and $14 000 worth of fuel coupons to five workers and the nine suspected robbers.
Among the five workers were two brothers related to the businessman, while two were security guards. The five workers, Mupamhanga and Kasambarare, were then arrested and appeared in court where their case is still pending.
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