adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO soldier and his accomplice have been arrested for allegedly assaulting and stealing two cellphones from a 27- year-old woman in the city.
The soldier, Wonderful Nhunduza, 28, of Nkulumane suburb and Willard Makwinda, 22, of the same suburb pounced on Beauty Hlabangana, 27, of Thorngrove suburb who was in the company of her friend, Portia Dube, on March 28 at around 1AM.
Hlabangana and Dube were coming from Waverly Bar situated along Lobengula Street when Nhunduza and Makwinda allegedly cornered them.
The two women ran away from the duo, but Makwinda and Nhunduza caught up with Hlabangana and punched her all over the body.
She managed to escape and crossed the road but dropped her Nokia 1112 and Nokia X2 cellphones.
Makwinda picked up the cellphones and tried to run away, but was apprehended by a taxi driver.
Police officers arrived on the scene and the two accused were arrested.
Nhunduza and Makwinda appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing a robbery charge. The duo pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody to April 13, for trial.
Prosecuting, Taurai Hondoyemoto said Nhunduza and Makwinda were coming out of Golden Grill Restaurant located at Fort Street and 11th Avenue when they spotted Hlabangana and Dube.
“The two men chased after Hlabangana and Dube. The two women ran away, tried to seek refuge from two security guards manning a restaurant but they were denied entry,” said Hondoyemoto.
Nhunduza and Makwinda caught up with Hlabangana and started assaulting her, said Hondoyemoto.
The court heard that Hlabangana escaped and crossed the road, but dropped her house keys and two cellphones.
Hondoyemoto said Makwinda picked up both cellphones and fled but was caught by a taxi driver and the two men were subsequently arrested by the police.
Online Reporter