happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
THREE suspected armed robbers were yanked to court yesterday to answer to charges of a robbery involving over US$40 000.
Rashid Chipanga, Joseph Makoni and Tawanda Gau were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda.
The three were already in remand prison for a charge of unlawful possession of firearms.
The court heard that on March 29 this year, the trio, together with four accomplices who are still at large, connived to rob the complainant and his wife.
Acting in connivance, the gang allegedly armed themselves with a pistol, hammers, machetes and other weapons and proceeded to the complainant’s house in Manyame Park, Chitungwiza.
They allegedly broke in through the window and confronted the complainant and his wife, Leah Mapuranga, who were in their bedroom.
They ordered them to lie on the floor and started assaulting them while demanding money.
They ransacked the whole house and stole US$40 000, $20 000, an Astra pistol, and various cellphones.
They went to his car that was parked outside, smashed its windows and searched it, looking for money, but they didn’t find any.
In the second count, it’s the State’s case that on April 19, this year, the three and their accomplices, who are still at large, broke into the complainant’s home in Rockview, Chitungwiza.
They allegedly bumped into her in the corridor, after she had been awakened by their noise, and they forced her back into her bedroom, where they tied her hands and legs.
They allegedly ransacked her bedroom and stole US$40, R100 from her handbag, cellphones.
They went to the main bedroom and stole US$700 from the safe and a laptop.
Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter