Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Writer
A 26-year-old Bulawayo taxi driver was yesterday sentenced to eight years in prison after teaming up with two accomplices — who remain at large — and using his employer’s vehicle to commit a robbery.
Dumiso Dube, of Nkulumane suburb, and his unidentified accomplices robbed the complainant of a mobile phone and a wallet containing US$800 before fleeing the scene in the car.
Although Dube pleaded not guilty, he was convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze, based on overwhelming evidence.
He will serve an effective six years behind bars, with two years suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. The magistrate also ordered him to return US$80, R200, and a Samsung J4 Core mobile phone, which were recovered by police following his arrest.
In passing sentence, Mrs Marondedze stated that there was clear evidence the Honda Fit belonging to Dube’s employer had been used as the getaway vehicle.
“The accused did not report the alleged theft of his phone to the police, and during the trial, he failed to challenge the complainant’s testimony. This made it clear to the court that he was guilty and acted as the driver in committing the crime,” she said.
Prosecutor Mr Milton Moyo told the court that the robbery occurred on July 30 at around 4.30 PM.
“On that date, Dube, who was employed as a taxi driver on the Pumula–Luveve route, was driving a blue Honda Fit, registration number AFD 6349, accompanied by two accomplices when they encountered the complainant, Johannes Mlambo (51), walking towards Tshabalala suburb,” he said.
Dube stopped the vehicle, and one of his accomplices approached Mlambo, greeted him, then produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab him. The man took Mlambo’s wallet containing US$800 and a Samsung J4 Core phone before rushing back into the waiting car. Dube then sped off, leaving the complainant at the scene.
The court heard that Mlambo immediately sought assistance from a passing motorist, and together they pursued the getaway vehicle. They managed to block it, leading to a scuffle during which Mlambo grabbed Dube’s mobile phone.
He later reported the matter at Tshabalala Police Station, where he also surrendered Dube’s phone — an item that became a key piece of evidence leading to the accused’s arrest.
