Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THREE members of a five-man armed gang have been jailed for 20 years for robbing three people around Beitbridge district at gunpoint on three separate occasions.
The other two gang members Irvine Siziba (20) and Senzangakhona Hoko (38) were acquitted due to lack of incriminating evidence after a full trial at the Beitbridge Regional Court.
Presiding magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura slapped Fanuel Mbedzi (30) and Brighton Mbedzi (30) with effective 20-year jail terms after finding them guilty of committing armed robberies in Toporo and Beitbridge town.
In addition, Brighton Mbedzi was given an additional six months for illegal possession of a firearm, meaning he effectively serve 20-and-a-half years.
Prince Vhonani Ndou was sentenced to 10 years for his role in the armed robbery in Toporo in August.
Prosecuting, Mr Cloudios Karinga said the gang connived to commit the crimes between August 21 and September 5 this year.
The court heard that the three attacked their victims in Beitbridge town and Toporo Village under Beitbridge West constituency, about 120km southwest of the border town.
They used three pistols, axes, knives, knobkerries and catapults in their attacks.
The trio was arrested on September 6 at around 11pm at a police roadblock near Nottingham turn-off along the Bulawayo highway.
The State further said their vehicle was searched and some weapons they allegedly used in committing the crimes were recovered.
On August 21, Siziba allegedly led the gang to rob his cousin at a house in the Tshidixwa suburb in Beitbridge town at around 5pm.
He allegedly gave other gang members directions to Ms Thandiwe Chauke’s homestead where they went armed with three pistols and robbed her of US$1 500 cash, R950, five cellphones and a laptop, all valued at R45 200.
On September 5 at around 9 pm, the gang used the same method to rob Ms Mashudu Ndou (51) and Sharon Moyo (25) of two cell phones.
Ms Ndou is Siziba’s grandmother.
They arrived at her homestead armed with one axe, one knife, one knobkerrie, one sjambok, and a catapult and found the occupants sleeping.
The State said the gang broke into the house and demanded cash threatening to kill them.
After failing to get cash, they took two cellphones all valued at $16 000.
All matters were reported to the police resulting in their arrest.
One pistol and two cell phones stolen from the second and third complainants were recovered from the accused persons. – @tupeyo
Online Reporter